animal

1 of 2

noun

an·​i·​mal ˈa-nə-məl How to pronounce animal (audio)
1
: any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (such as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (such as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor responses to stimulation
2
a
: one of the lower animals (see lower entry 3 sense 3) as distinguished from human beings
b
: mammal
broadly : vertebrate
3
: a human being considered chiefly as physical or nonrational
also : this nature
4
: a person with a particular interest or aptitude
a political animal
He's a party animal.
5
: matter, thing
the theater … is an entirely different animalArthur Miller
animallike adjective

animal

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, resembling, or derived from animals
animal instincts
animal behavior
2
a
: of or relating to the physical or sentient as contrasted with the intellectual or rational
b
: sensual, fleshly
indulged his animal appetites
3
: of or relating to the animal pole of an egg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops
animally adverb

Did you know?

Latin anima means “breath” or “soul,” and animalis, the adjective that comes from it, means “having breath or soul.” An animal such as a cat or dog can be seen to breathe. Plants breathe too, by taking in certain gases from the atmosphere and releasing others. However, this process cannot be observed by the naked eye. So the noun animal, which comes from animalis, was borrowed from Latin for that group of living beings that breathe visibly.

Choose the Right Synonym for animal

carnal, fleshly, sensual, animal mean having a relation to the body.

carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

gave in to carnal desires

fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

fleshpots providing sensual delights

animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

Examples of animal in a Sentence

Noun the animals in the zoo the plants and animals of the forest She loves all kinds of animals. Fish, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, and human beings are all animals. You're all behaving like a bunch of animals. Adjective several different plant and animal species milk, meat, and other animal products People were shocked by the animal brutality of the attack.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Each elephant, life-sized and representative of a specific, individual animal, was created by a community of 200 indigenous artisans from the communities of India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 The family also welcomes schools and organizations that want to learn about animals and horseback riding. Tiffani Arnold, Chicago Tribune, 30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Animal lovers will enjoy horseback riding or visiting one of the area’s animal sanctuaries. Katie Seemann, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2023 Smoothies are an easy way to incorporate more non-animal protein into your diet. Amy Stanford, Health, 27 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for animal 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin, from animale, neuter of animalis animate, from anima soul — more at animate

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of animal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near animal

Cite this Entry

“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

animal

1 of 2 noun
an·​i·​mal ˈan-ə-məl How to pronounce animal (audio)
1
: any of a kingdom of living things composed of many cells typically differing from plants in capacity for active movement, in rapid response to stimulation, in being unable to carry on photosynthesis, and in lack of cellulose cell walls
2
a
: one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings
b
: mammal

animal

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or derived from animals
2
: of or relating to the body rather than the mind
Etymology

Noun

from Latin animal "living being that can move," derived from animalis "animate," from anima "soul, breath" — related to animate see Word History at animate

Word Origin
Latin anima means "breath" or "soul," and animalis, the adjective that comes from it, means "having breath or soul." An animal such as a cat or dog can be seen to breathe. Plants breathe too, by taking in certain gases from the atmosphere and releasing others. However, this process cannot be observed by the naked eye. So the noun animal, which comes from animalis, was borrowed from Latin for that group of living beings that breathe visibly.

Medical Definition

animal

1 of 2 noun
an·​i·​mal ˈan-ə-məl How to pronounce animal (audio)
1
: any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor response to stimulation
2
a
: one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings
b
: mammal
broadly : vertebrate

animal

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or derived from animals
2
: of or relating to the animal pole of an egg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops

More from Merriam-Webster on animal

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