animal

1 of 2

noun

an·​i·​mal ˈa-nə-məl How to pronounce animal (audio)
1
: any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (such as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (such as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor responses to stimulation
2
a
: one of the lower animals (see lower entry 3 sense 3) as distinguished from human beings
b
: mammal
broadly : vertebrate
3
: a human being considered chiefly as physical or nonrational
also : this nature
4
: a person with a particular interest or aptitude
a political animal
He's a party animal.
5
: matter, thing
the theater … is an entirely different animalArthur Miller
animallike adjective

animal

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, resembling, or derived from animals
animal instincts
animal behavior
2
a
: of or relating to the physical or sentient as contrasted with the intellectual or rational
b
: sensual, fleshly
indulged his animal appetites
3
: of or relating to the animal pole of an egg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops
animally adverb

Did you know?

Latin anima means “breath” or “soul,” and animalis, the adjective that comes from it, means “having breath or soul.” An animal such as a cat or dog can be seen to breathe. Plants breathe too, by taking in certain gases from the atmosphere and releasing others. However, this process cannot be observed by the naked eye. So the noun animal, which comes from animalis, was borrowed from Latin for that group of living beings that breathe visibly.

Choose the Right Synonym for animal

carnal, fleshly, sensual, animal mean having a relation to the body.

carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

gave in to carnal desires

fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

fleshpots providing sensual delights

animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

Examples of animal in a Sentence

Noun the animals in the zoo the plants and animals of the forest She loves all kinds of animals. Fish, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, and human beings are all animals. You're all behaving like a bunch of animals. Adjective several different plant and animal species milk, meat, and other animal products People were shocked by the animal brutality of the attack.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
While scientists have conducted previous studies examining dogs, birds, and frogs from the area surrounding Chernobyl, those findings still don’t give us the full picture of the fallout in part because of the biological differences between animals. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 Proceeds help the nonprofit care for more than 40,000 animals. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 For eons this vital waterway has attracted animals and humans alike, and has been the foundation for agricultural cultures from prehistoric times to the modern day. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The smuggling suspects are accused of attempting to export live animals without declaring them, which is a violation of animal disease control laws, per the statement Thailand's Customs Department shared on Facebook. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 To learn about the adoption process and available animals, visit www.waysidewaifs.org To fill out an adoption application for Jensen, go here. Stephanie Baillargeon-McCurry and, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024 Officials recommended that meats from animals infected with or suspected of being infected with CWD not be eaten. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024 About 2,000 animals a year are treated at the non-profit rehabilitation center, said communications director Hannah McDougall. USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 Time is running out for animals scheduled to be euthanized at local shelters. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Animal lovers will enjoy horseback riding or visiting one of the area’s animal sanctuaries. Katie Seemann, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2023 Smoothies are an easy way to incorporate more non-animal protein into your diet. Amy Stanford, Health, 27 Mar. 2023 But momentum is building for non-animal approaches, which could ultimately help speed drug development, improve patient outcomes and reduce the burdens borne by lab animals, experts said. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023 Nature friendly and environmentally friendly products are readily accepted by the sophisticated consumer who is searching for products that are non-animal. Walter Loeb, Forbes, 10 June 2022 Yiannas' notice comes less than a week before Califf is expected to release a response to a scathing report calling for an overhaul of the way the agency regulates human and animal foods. Jonel Aleccia, ajc, 25 Jan. 2023 The effects wouldn't be seen just in animal life—wildebeests help to maintain the grassland ecosystem, too. Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2010 The lawsuit is likely to put the spotlight on the explosive growth of plastics pollution, which scientists say is affecting air and water quality, global warming, as well as human and animal life. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2023 Hypercarnivores — such as polar bears, gray wolves and Arctic foxes — are typical predators in the Arctic, where there are few non-animal food sources, especially during winter. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2014

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'animal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin, from animale, neuter of animalis animate, from anima soul — more at animate

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of animal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near animal

Cite this Entry

“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

animal

1 of 2 noun
an·​i·​mal ˈan-ə-məl How to pronounce animal (audio)
1
: any of a kingdom of living things composed of many cells typically differing from plants in capacity for active movement, in rapid response to stimulation, in being unable to carry on photosynthesis, and in lack of cellulose cell walls
2
a
: one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings
b
: mammal

animal

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or derived from animals
2
: of or relating to the body rather than the mind
Etymology

Noun

from Latin animal "living being that can move," derived from animalis "animate," from anima "soul, breath" — related to animate see Word History at animate

Word Origin
Latin anima means "breath" or "soul," and animalis, the adjective that comes from it, means "having breath or soul." An animal such as a cat or dog can be seen to breathe. Plants breathe too, by taking in certain gases from the atmosphere and releasing others. However, this process cannot be observed by the naked eye. So the noun animal, which comes from animalis, was borrowed from Latin for that group of living beings that breathe visibly.

Medical Definition

animal

1 of 2 noun
an·​i·​mal ˈan-ə-məl How to pronounce animal (audio)
1
: any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor response to stimulation
2
a
: one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings
b
: mammal
broadly : vertebrate

animal

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or derived from animals
2
: of or relating to the animal pole of an egg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops

More from Merriam-Webster on animal

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