monkey

¹mon·key

noun \ˈməŋ-kē\

plural monkeys

Definition of MONKEY

1

: a nonhuman primate mammal with the exception usually of the lemurs and tarsiers; especially : any of the smaller longer-tailed catarrhine or platyrrhine primates as contrasted with the apes

2

a : a person resembling a monkey b : a ludicrous figure : dupe

3

: any of various machines, implements, or vessels; especially : the falling weight of a pile driver

4

: a desperate desire for or addiction to drugs —often used in the phrase monkey on one's back; broadly : a persistent or annoying encumbrance or problem

Examples of MONKEY

1. He's quite a cheeky little monkey, isn't he?
2. <I've got this monkey on my back, and going to detox is the only way to get it off.>

Origin of MONKEY

probably of Low German origin; akin to Moneke, name of an ape, probably of Romance origin; akin to Old Spanish mona monkey

First Known Use: circa 1530

Related to MONKEY

Synonyms: dependence (also dependance), habit, jones [slang], addiction

Related Words: alcoholism, heroinism, morphinism; habituation, tolerance

Near Antonyms: beast, boor, cad, churl, clown, creep, cretin, cur, heel, joker, louse, lout, skunk, snake, stinkard, stinker; knave, miscreant, reprobate, scalawag (or scallywag), scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, villain

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Rhymes with MONKEY

chunky, clunky, flunky, funky, gunky, hunky, Hunky, junkie, junky, punkie, punky, skunky, spunkie, spunky