noun
A2
Elementary
chimpanzee
chihm-PAN-zee
Chimpanzee (noun) means a highly intelligent great ape native to Africa, one of humanity's closest living relatives. Example: “Researchers have observed chimpanzees using tools to extract termites.”
noun
1
A highly intelligent great ape native to Africa, one of humanity's closest living relatives.
"Researchers have observed chimpanzees using tools to extract termites."
"The zoo's new chimpanzee enclosure lets visitors watch them up close."
How to use chimpanzee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA great ape closely related to humans, often just called a "chimp".
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a troop of chimpanzees
chimpanzee behavior
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Word forms
- Plural
- chimpanzees
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Researchers have observed _____ using tools to extract termites.
Etymology
First recorded in English in 1738, borrowed via French from a Bantu-language word from Angola.
Class of 1738
chimpanzee joined the language around 1738.
See the full Class of 1738 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for chimpanzee
See all rhymes for chimpanzee →Frequently asked questions
What does “chimpanzee” mean?
The word “chimpanzee” means a highly intelligent great ape native to Africa, one of humanity's closest living relatives. In plain terms, a great ape closely related to humans, often just called a "chimp".
How do you pronounce “chimpanzee”?
“Chimpanzee” is pronounced chihm-PAN-zee (/t͡ʃɪmˈpæn.zi/ in IPA).
How do you use “chimpanzee” in a sentence?
Here is “chimpanzee” used in a sentence: “Researchers have observed chimpanzees using tools to extract termites.”
What part of speech is “chimpanzee”?
“Chimpanzee” is a noun.
Where does the word “chimpanzee” come from?
The word “chimpanzee” dates back to around 1738 and comes from French. First recorded in English in 1738, borrowed via French from a Bantu-language word from Angola.
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