anal

adjective

\ ˈā-nᵊl

Definition of anal

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

anal

abbreviation

Definition of anal (Entry 2 of 2)

1 analogy

2 analysis; analytic

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Examples of anal in a Sentence

Adjective

He can be pretty anal about keeping his office neat.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Farrah Fawcett, Charlie's Angels actress and Playboy model, died in 2009 after battling anal cancer for roughly three years. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Farrah Fawcett's Last Words Before Her Death Were About Her Son Redmond O'Neal, Her Friends Say," 10 July 2019 The defendant’s muted, vaguely quizzical expression rarely broke during the trial, even as prosecutor Dan Owens elicited graphic testimony of alleged oral, vaginal and anal rape from Winslow’s accusers. — Robert Klemko, SI.com, "You Never Knew Kellen Winslow Jr.," 13 June 2019 The actress, 57, is on a mission to destigmatize anal cancer—and all of the conversations that come with the subject. — Christina Oehler, Health.com, "Marcia Cross Reveals New Details of Her Anal Cancer Diagnosis," 5 June 2019 In some cases, HPV infection can lead to six types of cancer: cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar and oropharyngeal (mouth and throat). — Jacqueline Howard, CNN, "CDC panel recommends HPV vaccine for men through age 26 and for some older adults," 26 June 2019 News flash: The HPV vaccine helps prevent cervical, anal, penile, vulvar, throat and esophageal cancers. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, "'The very greatest Americans'," 6 June 2019 But there was still shame—this time about enjoying anal, rather than just engaging in it. — Amanda Chatel, Glamour, "I Genuinely Like Anal Sex—And I'm Tired of Feeling Bad About It," 15 Apr. 2019 But nothing jolts me out of post-anal bliss like a little bit of butt bleeding. — Sophie Saint Thomas, SELF, "Is Bleeding Normal After Anal Sex?," 23 Feb. 2019 Which led to rawness and itchiness and anal fissures. — Jason Kehe, WIRED, "Change Your Life: Bestride the Bidet," 17 June 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near anal

a nail in the/someone's coffin

Statistics for anal

Last Updated

22 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for anal

The first known use of anal was in 1769

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More Definitions for anal

anal

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of anal

biology : of, relating to, or located near the anus

informal : extremely or overly neat, careful, or precise

See the full definition for anal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

anal

adjective

\ ˈā-nᵊl\

Kids Definition of anal

: relating to the anus

anal

adjective

\ ˈān-ᵊl

Medical Definition of anal

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of, relating to, or situated near the anus the anal opening anal fissures

2a : 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 sense 3, oral sense 3, phallic sense 2