jackal

noun

jack·​al ˈja-kəl 

also -ˌkȯl

1

: any of several small omnivorous canids (such as Canis aureus) of Africa and Asia having large ears, long legs, and bushy tails

2

a

: a person who performs routine or menial tasks for another

b

: a person who serves or collaborates with another especially in the commission of base acts

Examples of jackal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The quest began with Shaolin monks and southwestern jackals. — Esfandiar Baraheni, New York Times, 3 June 2026

At dinner a jackal, smelling oryx steak, came right up to our table and looked with soft-eyed longing at the food, like a beloved pet. — Aatish Taseer, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2025

Our night drive also revealed hunting hyenas and jackals, along with genets, mongoose and a bushbaby. — Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026

People across continents might link rainbows with snakes, or see rabbits on the moon, or cast foxes, jackals, and coyotes as tricksters. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Turkish çakal, from Persian shaqāl, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Sanskrit sṛgāla jackal

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for jackal

• cackle
• crackle
• hackle
• shackle
• tackle
• vakil
• demoniacal
• ramshackle
• tabernacle
• zodiacal

Kids Definition

jackal

noun

jack·​al ˈjak-əl 

-ˌȯl

: any of several wild dogs of Africa and Asia like but smaller than the related wolves