anthropomorphic

adjective

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phic ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fik How to pronounce anthropomorphic (audio)
1
: described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes
anthropomorphic deities
stories involving anthropomorphic animals
2
: ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things
anthropomorphic supernaturalism
anthropomorphic beliefs about nature
anthropomorphically adverb

Did you know?

As word lovers, we are endlessly fascinated by the uniqueness and complexity of human language. Many species use sounds and gestures to communicate with one another, but the ability to speak in full sentences, to share abstract ideas, and to write and tell stories is distinctly anthropic. Brilliant though dogs may be, they can’t verbalize their hopes and dreams. That is, unless those dogs are anthropomorphic—a trait common in works of fiction. From chatty chiweenies to tangoing tapirs, depictions of anthropomorphic animals abound thanks to our creative superpowers.

Examples of anthropomorphic in a Sentence

a story in which the characters are anthropomorphic animals
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.
Yes, McLean is also a furry, whose fursona, SonicFox, is a blue and white anthropomorphic fox. Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 6 Nov. 2025 Microsoft dropped its Copilot fall release this week with a dozen new features, the splashiest being a new anthropomorphic buddy called Mico. PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 The team had already animated a cartoon film of three anthropomorphic sausages running across the Milwaukee skyline on the big screen and when they were seen to arrive at the gates of the stadium, the characters would race across the scoreboard as digital dots. Don Riddell, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025 These included Tralalero Tralala, a three-legged shark with blue Nikes; Tung Tung Tung Sahur, an anthropomorphic wood plank; and Ballerina Cappuccina, a cup of golden-brown coffee in a pink bodice. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anthropomorphic

Word History

Etymology

Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" (from anthrōpo- anthropo- + -morphos -morphous) + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anthropomorphic was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Anthropomorphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphic. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!