anthropomorphic

adjective

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phic ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fik 

1

: described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes

anthropomorphic deities

stories involving anthropomorphic animals

2

: ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things

anthropomorphic supernaturalism

anthropomorphic beliefs about nature

anthropomorphically

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

As word lovers, we are endlessly fascinated by the uniqueness and complexity of human language. Many species use sounds and gestures to communicate with one another, but the ability to speak in full sentences, to share abstract ideas, and to write and tell stories is distinctly anthropic. Brilliant though dogs may be, they can’t verbalize their hopes and dreams. That is, unless those dogs are anthropomorphic—a trait common in works of fiction. From chatty chiweenies to tangoing tapirs, depictions of anthropomorphic animals abound thanks to our creative superpowers.

Examples of anthropomorphic in a Sentence

a story in which the characters are anthropomorphic animals

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of these, such as a life-sized mechanical floutist constructed by Jacques de Vaucanson in 1738, were fully anthropomorphic. — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

The tumbler is the shape of the Jollibee anthropomorphic bee mascot with a red and white striped straw. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Court documents show Robertson took a minor from Frisco, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, in May 2024 to attend a furry convention, a gathering centered around a subculture involving anthropomorphic animal characters and costumes. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Lately, Klassen has brought those anthropomorphic gifts to board books, those indestructible literary objects that are larger than a cellphone and smaller than a tablet and far better than either for your child’s attention span, mood, and gums. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" (from anthrōpo- anthropo- + -morphos -morphous) + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anthropomorphic

• homeomorphic
• automorphic
• geomorphic
• holomorphic
• homomorphic
• isomorphic
• meromorphic
• metamorphic
• monomorphic
• polymorphic
• dimorphic
• dysmorphic

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