noun
animal
AN-ih-muhl
noun
1
A living, moving organism that feeds on other organisms rather than making its own food, as distinct from plants and fungi.
"Scientists estimate there are millions of animal species still undiscovered."
"The zoo cares for over two hundred different animals."
2
Any creature other than a human, especially a mammal.
"Farmers keep animals like cows, pigs, and sheep."
"Wild animals in the reserve are protected from hunting."
3
Informal: a person who acts in a wild, brutal, or uncontrolled way.
"He turned into a total animal once the game started."
"Don't be an animal — use a napkin."
adj
1
Relating to animals, or driven by raw physical instinct rather than reason.
"Fear triggered a purely animal reaction."
"The film explores humanity's animal instincts."
How to Use Animal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA living creature that isn't a plant — or, informally, a person behaving wildly.
Common pairings
wild animal
animal instinct
like an animal
Word Forms
animals plural, Animals plural
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Scientists estimate there are millions of _____ species still undiscovered.
Etymology
From Latin animal, based on anima ("breath, spirit, soul") — the same root behind "animate" and "animation."