Illustration of loris
- loris a
: any of several nocturnal slow-moving tailless arboreal primates (subfamily Lorisinae): such as
a
: either of two slim-bodied primates (Loris tardigradus or L. lydekkerianus) of southern India and Sri Lanka
b
: any of several larger related primates (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus or genus Nycticebus) of southeastern Asia that are heavier limbed and slower moving
Examples of loris in a Sentence
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One night, the team spotted a Mysore slender loris eating some prey, the study said.
—
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
Sweat glands on the loris’ elbows secrete a toxin that, when licked, can give the primate a poisonous bite, the National Zoo said.
—Makiya Seminera, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
The slow loris ranges in size from half a pound (the Bornean variety) to up to four pounds (the Bengal).
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2022
Other researchers’ observations have implicated other primates as well: In southeast Asia, the slow loris eats fermented Bertram palm nectar, while on the island of St. Kitts, green monkeys steal sips of tourists’ cocktails.
—K. N. Smith, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2015
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Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
Sweat glands on the loris’ elbows secrete a toxin that, when licked, can give the primate a poisonous bite, the National Zoo said.
—Makiya Seminera, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
The slow loris ranges in size from half a pound (the Bornean variety) to up to four pounds (the Bengal).
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2022
Other researchers’ observations have implicated other primates as well: In southeast Asia, the slow loris eats fermented Bertram palm nectar, while on the island of St. Kitts, green monkeys steal sips of tourists’ cocktails.
—K. N. Smith, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2015
See All Example Sentences for loris
Cite this Entry
“Loris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loris. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
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loris
noun
lo·ris
ˈlōr-əs 
ˈlȯr-
: any of several small slow-moving primates that are active at night and do not have tails
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