anal

adjective \ ˈā-nᵊl \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of anal

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 ¹oral 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

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anally

play \-nᵊl-ē\ adverb

See anal defined for English-language learners

See anal defined for kids

Examples of anal in a Sentence

He can be pretty anal about keeping his office neat.

Recent Examples of anal from the Web

Before Thursday's ruling, Kenya was one of eight countries that allowed forced anal exams.

— deutsche welle, USA TODAY, "Kenya court outlaws forced anal exams in landmark victory for gay rights," 22 Mar. 2018
Even tiny tears in the anal area can allow bacteria and viruses into your system, potentially leading to infection.

— hannah norling, Health.com, "5 Things You Need to Know Before You Try Anal Sex," 27 Feb. 2018
There are hundreds of strains of the virus, some of which can cause health problems including genital warts and certain cancers such as cervical, mouth and throat cancer, vaginal and anal cancer.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Parents less likely to vaccinate boys against HPV, a cancer-causing virus: Study," 26 Mar. 2018
The same year, Waters was sued again, this time by a man who claimed that Waters and another officer publicly stripped him and conducted an anal search, a violation of department policy.

— mark fazlollah, Philly.com, "List of 'troubled' Philadelphia police filled with inconsistencies," 16 Mar. 2018
Horn also reminds us to only use toys that are meant for anal play.

— gigi engle, Marie Claire, "Everything You Need to Know About Anal Foreplay," 29 Sep. 2017
Out of it’ Mac was born with VACTERL association, a genetic syndrome that can include abnormalities in as many as six bodily systems, denoted by the letters in its name: vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheal-esophageal, renal (the kidney), and limbs.

— tom avril, Philly.com, "Infant heart surgery is just the start of lifelong issues. Doctors are developing new ways to cope," 9 Mar. 2018
But part of this evidently includes promoting said start-up with DIY anal bead kits.

— gabriella paiella, The Cut, "Miki Agrawal Promotes Bidet Start-up With … DIY Anal Beads," 18 Jan. 2018
Somehow, in a recent appearance on Netflix's The Joel McHale Show, the topic of anal worms came up.

— melissa minton, SELF, "Kristen Bell Caught Anal Worms From Her Daughter and It Sounds Horrible," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anal

see anus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1769

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

anal

abbreviation

Definition of anal

1 analogy

2 analysis; analytic

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

ANAL Defined for English Language Learners

anal

adjective

Definition of anal for English Language Learners

biology : of, relating to, or located near the anus
: extremely or overly neat, careful, or precise

ANAL Defined for Kids

anal

adjective \ ˈā-nᵊl \

Definition of anal for Students

: relating to the anus

Medical Dictionary

anal

adjective \ ˈān-ᵊl \

medical Definition of anal

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, 2001

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 3, oral 3, phallic 2

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