anal

1 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, situated near, or involving the anus
an anal fin
2
psychoanalytic theory
a
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being the stage of psychosexual development which follows the oral stage (see oral entry 1 sense 3) and during which the child is concerned especially with his or her feces
b
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being personality traits (such as parsimony, meticulousness, and ill humor) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
an anal disposition
often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or precise
I have a mania for neatness in some matters that is almost anal.Joseph Heller
anally adverb

anal

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of anal in a Sentence

Adjective He can be pretty anal about keeping his office neat.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Use fingers, try a small plug or anal beads and communicate while doing it by indicating what feels good and what doesn’t. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 3 July 2025 Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006 and was later declared cancer-free on her 60th birthday on Feb. 2, 2007, per her foundation. Alyssa Davis, People.com, 25 June 2025 Mucosal irritation: Preservatives commonly used in personal lubricants, called parabens, can cause vaginal and anal irritation in people with sensitive skin. Md Published, Verywell Health, 6 June 2025 There are also two internal attachments: one for vaginal use and the other for anal use. Amanda Chatel, Wired News, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for anal

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from New Latin ānālis, from Latin ānus anus + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anal was in 1769

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anal. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

anal

adjective
ˈān-ᵊl
: of, relating to, situated near, or involving the anus
anally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Medical Definition

anal

1 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or situated near the anus
the anal opening
anal fissures
2
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the oral stage and during which a child derives libidinal gratification from the expulsion and retention of the feces and conflict arises from parental demands regarding toilet training
During the anal stage, from about 18 months to 3 years, the sphincter muscles become sensitive and controllable and bowel and bladder retention and elimination become a source of gratification.David G. Myers, Psychology
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits (as orderliness, frugality, and obstinacy) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or precise
compare genital sense 3, oral sense 3, phallic sense 2
anally adverb

anal

2 of 2 abbreviation

More from Merriam-Webster on anal

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