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

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

²monkey

verb

mon·keyedmon·key·ing

Definition of MONKEY

transitive verb

: mimic, mock

intransitive verb

1

: to act in a grotesque or mischievous manner

2

a : fool, trifle —often used with around

b : tamper —usually used with with

First Known Use of MONKEY

1859

mon·key

noun \ˈməŋ-kē\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MONKEY

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

monkey

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any member of two tropical anthropoid primate groups: Old World monkeys and New World monkeys. Almost all species are tropical or subtropical, and almost all are diurnal. Most species are arboreal, using all four limbs to leap from tree to tree. They can sit upright and stand erect. Most species run along branches rather than swinging arm over arm like the apes. Monkeys are highly social omnivores, organized in clans as large as several hundred individuals headed by an old male. Sexually mature males of all species are always potent, and all nonpregnant females have a monthly menstrual cycle. Most species bear a single young, which is reared by the mother for years.