anthropomorphic

adjective

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phic ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fik 

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

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fi-k(ə-)lē 

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

Even after 25 years, Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro’s series about an anthropomorphic milkshake, french fry container, and a wad of meat wasting their days in suburban New Jersey remains one of Adult Swim’s most recognizable properties. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

One guy - or anthropomorphic cat - who isn't feeling too great about all that scoring is Willie the Wildcat. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Pairing Aflac, which has thrived with commercials featuring an anthropomorphic duck squawking out its name, and Affleck. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Tourists coming to the Bay Area are more likely to beeline it to the Pacific beaches or charming environs of Wine Country, not to a town whose mascot is an anthropomorphic acorn and whose name honors a settler’s mother-in-law. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for anthropomorphic

• homeomorphic
• automorphic
• geomorphic
• holomorphic
• homomorphic
• isomorphic
• meromorphic
• metamorphic
• monomorphic
• polymorphic
• dimorphic
• dysmorphic

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