animal
AN-ih-muhl
Animal (noun) means a living, moving organism that feeds on other organisms rather than making its own food, as distinct from plants and fungi. Example: “A sponge may look like a plant, but it is actually an animal.”
noun
1
A living, moving organism that feeds on other organisms rather than making its own food, as distinct from plants and fungi.
"A sponge may look like a plant, but it is actually an animal."
"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.
"Our neighbour's dog is a gentle animal that loves children."
"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.
"Stop shouting and throwing food, you animal, and sit down at the table."
"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.
"The hungry traveller showed an animal desire to eat as soon as the bread arrived."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- animals
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A sponge may look like a plant, but it is actually an _____.
Etymology
From Latin animal, based on anima ("breath, spirit, soul") — the same root behind "animate" and "animation."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for animal
See all rhymes for animal →Frequently asked questions
What does “animal” mean?
The word “animal” means a living, moving organism that feeds on other organisms rather than making its own food, as distinct from plants and fungi. In plain terms, a living creature that isn't a plant — or, informally, a person behaving wildly.
How do you pronounce “animal”?
“Animal” is pronounced AN-ih-muhl (/ˈæn.ə.məl/ in IPA).
How do you use “animal” in a sentence?
Here is “animal” used in a sentence: “Scientists estimate there are millions of animal species still undiscovered.”
What is another word for “animal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “animal” include beast, beastie, creature, critter and deer.
What part of speech is “animal”?
Depending on how it is used, “animal” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “animal” come from?
The word “animal” comes from Latin. From Latin animal, based on anima ("breath, spirit, soul") — the same root behind "animate" and "animation.".
Is “animal” a common word?
“Animal” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “animal” have?
“Animal” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a living, moving organism that feeds on other organisms rather than making its own food, as distinct from plants and fungi.
What is the difference between an animal and a plant?
The key difference is how they get energy. Animals cannot make their own food, so they move about and feed on other organisms. Plants stay rooted and make their own food from sunlight through photosynthesis. Animals also typically have nervous systems and can respond quickly to their surroundings, which plants cannot.
What are the main types of animals?
Scientists divide animals into two broad groups. Vertebrates have a backbone and include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Invertebrates lack a backbone and make up the vast majority of species — insects, spiders, molluscs, worms, and jellyfish among them. Together they range from microscopic creatures to the blue whale.
Are humans animals?
Biologically, yes. Humans are mammals and share all the defining traits of animals — we move, feed on other organisms, and have nervous systems. In everyday speech, though, people often use 'animal' to mean creatures other than humans. The scientific and casual meanings differ, but both are widely understood.
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