aardwolf
2 synonyms for aardwolf, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A nocturnal, striped, hyena-like mammal of eastern and southern Africa that feeds on insects.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
civet hyena
termite-eating hyena
Etymology
English borrowed the word from South African Dutch, where it combines aard, meaning earth, with wolf. The name probably alludes to the animal spending daylight hours in underground burrows.
Full origin of aardwolf →Frequently asked questions
What is an aardwolf?
An aardwolf is a nocturnal mammal from eastern and southern Africa. It has yellowish fur with black vertical stripes and a mane down its neck and back.
Is an aardwolf a wolf?
No. Despite the name, it belongs to the hyena family and looks a little like one.
What is the plural of aardwolf?
The usual plural is aardwolves. Aardwolfs is also recorded but is rare.
