noun
hyena
heye-EE-nuh
Hyena (noun) means a medium-to-large carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, known for a call that sounds like laughing. Example: “A pack of hyenas circled the lion's kill, waiting for scraps.”
noun
1
A medium-to-large carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, known for a call that sounds like laughing.
"A pack of hyenas circled the lion's kill, waiting for scraps."
How to use hyena
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA scavenging African/Asian carnivore famous for its laugh-like call.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pack of hyenas
laughing hyena
spotted hyena
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Word forms
- Plural
- hyenas, hyenae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A pack of _____ circled the lion's kill, waiting for scraps.
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.
Synonyms
View more →
hyaena
hyaenid
Related words
Rhymes for hyena
See all rhymes for 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.
