noun
vertebrate
VUR-tih-brayt
Vertebrate (noun) means an animal that has a backbone and belongs to the group Vertebrata. Example: “A trout is a vertebrate, but a jellyfish is not.”
noun
1
An animal that has a backbone and belongs to the group Vertebrata.
"A trout is a vertebrate, but a jellyfish is not."
"Birds, reptiles and mammals are all vertebrates."
"The students sorted the pictures into vertebrates and invertebrates."
adjective
1
Having a backbone, or relating to the animals that have one.
"Frogs are vertebrate animals."
"The museum has a display on vertebrate anatomy."
"Only vertebrate species were included in the survey."
How to use vertebrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn animal that has a backbone.
When to use it
It is a scientific term, but it is also common in school lessons and everyday talk about animals.
Memory tip
A vertebra is a single bone of the spine, while a vertebrate is a whole animal that has such bones.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
vertebrate animal
vertebrate species
vertebrate anatomy
vertebrate and invertebrate
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A trout is a _____, but a jellyfish is not.
Etymology
English took the word from French vertébré, which came from the Latin vertebratus, meaning jointed. The noun use developed from the adjective, through the name of the animal group, Vertebrata.
Synonyms
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backboned
vertebrated
craniate
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for vertebrate
See all rhymes for vertebrate →Frequently asked questions
What is a vertebrate?
A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone. The group includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
What is the opposite of a vertebrate?
The opposite is an invertebrate, an animal without a backbone. Insects, worms and jellyfish are examples.
How do you pronounce vertebrate?
In standard British English it is said VUR-tih-brayt, with the stress on the first syllable.
What is the meaning of vertebrate?
"vertebrate" (noun) means an animal that has a backbone and belongs to the group Vertebrata.
