aye-aye

noun

ˈī-ˌī 

: a small primitive nocturnal forest-dwelling primate (Daubentonia madagascariensis) of northern Madagascar that has a round head, large eyes and ears, and long thin fingers

Examples of aye-aye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The hypothesis was that if the aye-aye relied purely on hollow resonance, then the filling inside the cavities should have disrupted its ability to identify them. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026

Isolated from the African continent, the island has evolved on its own terms, giving rise to wildlife found nowhere else on Earth—like the aye-aye, lemurs, and rare species of chameleons. — Erina Pinar, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025

In reality the aye-aye is just another (albeit unusual) primate trying to get by, using its outrageously long third digit to fish out wood-boring insects from channels in trees — not to cast curses. — Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024

When an aye-aye picks its nose, its finger travels through the sinus, into the throat, and into the mouth. — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French, from Malagasy aiay

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

aye-aye

noun

ˈī-ˌī

: a lemur of Madagascar that has large eyes and ears and is active at night