noun
lemur
LEE-muh
Lemur (noun) means a tree-dwelling primate native to Madagascar, known for large eyes and, in some species, a long ringed tail. Example: “The ring-tailed lemur is one of the most recognizable primates in the world.”
noun
1
A tree-dwelling primate native to Madagascar, known for large eyes and, in some species, a long ringed tail.
"The ring-tailed lemur is one of the most recognizable primates in the world."
"Lemurs are found only on Madagascar and a few nearby islands."
How to use lemur
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type of primate found only in Madagascar, distinct from monkeys and apes.
Common pairings
ring-tailed lemur
lemurs of Madagascar
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Word forms
- Plural
- lemurs
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The ring-tailed _____ is one of the most recognizable primates in the world.
Etymology
From Latin lemures, "spirits of the dead" — the naturalist Carl Linnaeus chose the name in 1754 because of the animals' ghostly nocturnal habits and slow, silent movements.
Rhymes for lemur
See all rhymes for lemur →Frequently asked questions
What does “lemur” mean?
The word “lemur” means a tree-dwelling primate native to Madagascar, known for large eyes and, in some species, a long ringed tail. In plain terms, a type of primate found only in Madagascar, distinct from monkeys and apes.
How do you pronounce “lemur”?
“Lemur” is pronounced LEE-muh (/ˈliːmə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “lemur” in a sentence?
Here is “lemur” used in a sentence: “The ring-tailed lemur is one of the most recognizable primates in the world.”
What part of speech is “lemur”?
“Lemur” is a noun.
Where does the word “lemur” come from?
The word “lemur” dates back to around 1754 and comes from Latin. From Latin lemures, "spirits of the dead" — the naturalist Carl Linnaeus chose the name in 1754 because of the animals' ghostly nocturnal habits and slow, silent movements.
