fauna

noun

fau·​na ˈfȯ-nə 

ˈfä-

plural faunas also faunae ˈfȯ-ˌnē  -ˌnī 

ˈfä-

: animal life

especially : the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment

the diverse fauna of the island

compare flora

faunal

ˈfȯ-nᵊl 

ˈfä-

adjective

faunally adverb

Did you know?

Faunus and Fauna were the Roman woodland god and goddess for whom animals were a particular concern. Faunus was the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Pan, and like Pan, he had goats' legs. Their goat-legged helpers, called fauns, were known for their love of pleasure and mischief. The fauna of a continent are often very similar across a broad east-west band; from north to south, however, they may vary greatly.

Examples of fauna in a Sentence

studying the diverse fauna of the island

studying the faunas of different islands

Recent Examples on the Web

On land, there are a handful of hiking trails and the Forked River Interpretive and Nature Center, which teaches about the area’s native flora and fauna. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

The mountain’s slopes, which reach practically to the sea, also host a wealth of flora and fauna, including endemic species. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

The goal is to maintain a diverse array of flora and fauna in the garden, allowing natural cycles to function effectively. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026

The Adayar Eco Park, a green lung that hugs an estuary, is nearby and worth a visit for its diverse flora and fauna. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Fauna, sister of Faunus

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fauna

• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna
• gonna
• jnana
• mana
• sauna
• tswana
• wanna
• asana
• chicana

Kids Definition

fauna

noun

fau·​na ˈfȯn-ə 

ˈfän-

plural faunas also faunae -ˌē 

-ˌī

: animals or animal life especially of a region, period, or environment

faunal

-ᵊl 

adjective

Medical Definition

fauna

noun

fau·​na ˈfȯn-ə, ˈfän- 

plural faunas also faunae -ˌē  -ˌī 

: animal life

especially : the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment compare flora sense 1

faunal

-ᵊl 

adjective

faunally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb