animal

1 of 2

noun

an·​i·​mal ˈa-nə-məl 

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 animal

—Arthur Miller

also : creature sense 1c

animallike

ˈa-nə-mə(l)-ˌlīk 

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

ˈa-nə-mə-lē 

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.

Synonyms

Noun

• creature
• beast

Adjective

• physical
• bodily

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

Noun

Police said there was no sign of food or water for the animals, and investigators believe the animals died from prolonged starvation or dehydration, according to the release. —Elainie Barraza, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025

The chemicals can also linger for years in the bodies and bloodstreams of animals and humans. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025

Adjective

In 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 paved the way for alternatives to animal testing, and in December 2023, an NIH advisory committee made similar recommendations to develop non-animal methods. —Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025

Rendering is a process that transforms animal by-products, like leftover meat and fats...and yes, chicken feet, into usable materials, such as animal feed, fuel, and other industrial products. —Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing animal

• animal control
• animal cracker
• animal heat
• animal husbandry
• animal kingdom
• animal magnetism
• animal model
• animal pole
• animal rights
• animal spirit
• animal spirits
• animal starch
• different animal
• domestic animal
• moss animal
• no such animal
• pack animal
• party animal
• political animal
• put (an animal) off the/someone's scent
• put (an animal) out of its misery
• service animal
• social animal
• spirit animal
• stuffed animal
• the human animal
• wheel animal

Kids Definition

animal

1 of 2 noun

an·​i·​mal ˈan-ə-məl 

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 

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