giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe jə-ˈraf 

plural giraffes

1

or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines

2

capitalized : camelopardalis

giraffish

jə-ˈra-fish 

adjective

Illustration of giraffe

• giraffe 1

Examples of giraffe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wild dogs, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, and a full complement of antelope, from graceful nyala to sturdy waterbuck, add to the spectacle. —Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

On a single day this month, NPR spotted two men in bridal gowns, a giraffe and a whole family dressed as bananas. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025

Bushmeat is meat from wild animals, including monkeys, bats, cane rats, giraffes, antelopes and porcupines and elephants. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025

The route then snakes through the landscape near Ndabaka Gate in the national park; expect gravel roads and gently paved tarmac, as well as zebras, giraffes, and buffalo. —Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing giraffe

• reticulated giraffe

Rhymes for giraffe

• behalf
• carafe
• digraph
• distaff
• falstaff
• subgraph
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph

Kids Definition

giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe ˈjə-ˈraf 

plural giraffes or giraffe

: a large swift cud-chewing spotted African mammal with a very long neck that is the tallest of living four-footed animals