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⇱ animal - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

animal

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈænɪməl/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈænəməl/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(an′ə məl)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
an•i•mal /ˈænəməl/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. Biologya living creature that can move on its own and actively acquire food and digest it and has senses and nervous systems to respond rapidly to the surroundings.
  2. Biologya creature other than a human being:We believe we are higher than the animals.
  3. Biologya mammal:There are plenty of birds, fish, and wild animals in the park.
  4. the physical, sensual, or sexual nature of human beings: [usually: the + ~]a scene that brought out the animal in the viewer.
  5. an inhuman person;
    brute:You're acting like an animal.
  6. thing: A perfect job? Is there any such animal?

adj. 
  1. Biologyof, relating to, or derived from animals: animal fats.
  2. relating to the physical, sensual, or sexual nature of humans:animal needs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
an•i•mal  (an′ə məl),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Biologyany member of the kingdom Animalia, comprising multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli: some classification schemes also include protozoa and certain other single-celled eukaryotes that have motility and animallike nutritional modes.
  2. Biologyany such living thing other than a human being.
  3. Biologya mammal, as opposed to a fish, bird, etc.
  4. the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of human beings; animality:the animal in every person.
  5. an inhuman person;
    brutish or beastlike person:She married an animal.
  6. thing:A perfect job? Is there any such animal?

adj. 
  1. Biologyof, pertaining to, or derived from animals:animal instincts; animal fats.
  2. pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature:animal needs.
  • Latin animālis
  • Latin, noun, nominal derivative (with loss of final vowel and shortening of ā) of animāle, neuter of animālis living, animate, equivalent. to anim(a) air, breath + -ālis -al1; English adjective, adjectival also directly
  • Old French)
  • Middle English (1300–50
    1. 2. Animal, beast, brute refer to sentient creatures as distinct from minerals and plants; figuratively, they usually connote qualities and characteristics below the human level. Animal is the general word; figuratively, it applies merely to the body or to animal-like characteristics:An athlete is a magnificent animal.Beast refers to four-footed animals; figuratively, it suggests a base, sensual nature:A glutton is a beast.Brute implies absence of ability to reason; figuratively, it connotes savagery as well:a drunken brute. 5. monster. 8. fleshly, physical; beastly, brutal. See carnal. 
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
animal /ˈænɪməl/ n
  1. any living organism characterized by voluntary movement, the possession of cells with noncellulose cell walls and specialized sense organs enabling rapid response to stimuli, and the ingestion of complex organic substances such as plants and other animals
  2. any mammal, esp any mammal other than a human
  3. a brutish person
  4. facetious a person or thing (esp in the phrase no such animal)
 adj
  1. of, relating to, or derived from animals
  2. of or relating to the physical needs or desires; carnal; sensual
Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin animal (n), from animālis (adj) living, breathing; see anima
'animal' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Collocations: [wild, domestic, domesticated, tame, farm] animals, the animal kingdom, [stuffed, model, toy, plush] animals, more...

Forum discussions with the word(s) "animal" in the title:

...variety of plant and animal life-forms that are...
'Animal farm' or Animal farm
'it' to refer animal or baby
'species of animals and plants' vs 'species of animal and plant'
[The hen / A hen / Hen] is a domestic animal
[Tigers/The tiger] is my favourite animal(s).
A cat is a furry animal. [ IS: identity vs predication]
A coat made by hurting an animal
A cow is a useful animal / Cows are useful animals [generic singular/plural]
A <creature> to be treated [human and animal]
A decision that took courage, considering the Chinese word for animal is dongwu
a different animal
a female animal - she or it?
a great ship was hit by the animal, and <sunk> into the ocean
a jacket made from animal skin
a kind of animal/an animal/a kind of animals
A lion which lives in Africa is an animal.
A man is <an> animal [indefinite article]
A milch animal giving a lot of milk (word?)
a more vain and absurd animal than you
A party animal
"a person or an animal" or "a person or animal"
a person or animal that goes from place to p
a person’s or animal’s nature
a recognition of the identity of the essential nature in animal
a resentful/bitter animal
a sale on animal prints
a situation or a subject far from what you expected [Animal Idiom]
a species of bird(s), animal(s), plant(s)
A tool is something external to an animal’s body used to extend its power.
more...

Look up "animal" at Merriam-Webster
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