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hyena

0 antonyms and opposites of hyena, grouped by meaning.

Noun — A medium-to-large carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, known for a call that sounds like laughing.

How to use hyena

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

pack of hyenas laughing hyena spotted hyena

Etymology

From Old French hiene, from Latin hyaena, ultimately from Greek hyaina — related to hys, meaning "pig," possibly from a resemblance in the animal's bristled back.

Full origin of hyena →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hyena” mean?

The word “hyena” means a medium-to-large carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, known for a call that sounds like laughing. In plain terms, a scavenging African/Asian carnivore famous for its laugh-like call.

How do you pronounce “hyena”?

“Hyena” is pronounced heye-EE-nuh (/haɪˈiːnə/ in IPA).

How do you use “hyena” in a sentence?

Here is “hyena” used in a sentence: “A pack of hyenas circled the lion's kill, waiting for scraps.”

What is another word for “hyena”?

Words with a similar meaning to “hyena” include hyaenid.

What part of speech is “hyena”?

“Hyena” is a noun.

Where does the word “hyena” come from?

The word “hyena” comes from Latin. From Old French hiene, from Latin hyaena, ultimately from Greek hyaina — related to hys, meaning "pig," possibly from a resemblance in the animal's bristled back.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.