aardvark

noun

aard·​vark ˈärd-ˌvärk 

: a large burrowing nocturnal mammal (Orycteropus afer) of sub-Saharan Africa that has a long snout, extensible tongue, powerful claws, large ears, and heavy tail and feeds especially on termites and ants

Illustration of aardvark

Examples of aardvark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An aardvark brought to the Brookfield Zoo from South Africa became only the second creature of its kind held in captivity in the United States. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

The message also noted that there are only 33 aardvarks in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). —Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

After the book Arthur’s Eyes was featured on the show, a certain aardvark’s life was optioned. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2025

Sign up for a night game drive to spot elusive nocturnal creatures like aardvarks, honey badgers, and bush babies under the stars. —Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from early Afrikaans aardvarken (modern erdvark), from aarde "earth" + vark "hog"; akin to Old English eorthe "earth" and to Old English fearh "young pig" — more at earth entry 1, farrow entry 1

Note: Current Afrikaans erdvark, as against early aardvarken, aardvark (with Afrikaans loss of the Dutch final syllable), reflects early competition in Afrikaans between standard Dutch aarde and the North/South Holland form erd(e) (with lengthened [e] or [ε]); as a simplex Afrikaans retains both with different senses: erd, "earth, clay," aarde "earth (the planet)."

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aardvark

• ballpark
• benchmark
• birthmark
• daymark
• earmark
• embark
• hallmark
• landmark
• monarch
• postmark
• remark
• skylark

Kids Definition

aardvark

noun

aard·​vark ˈärd-ˌvärk 

: a large burrowing African mammal that feeds on insects and especially termites with its long sticky tongue

Etymology

from early Afrikaans (now erdvark), "earth pig"