giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe jə-ˈraf 

plural giraffes

1

or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines

2

Giraffe : camelopardalis

giraffish

jə-ˈra-fish 

adjective

Illustration of giraffe

• giraffe 1

Examples of giraffe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On one of our drives, Ntwayagae pointed out a patch of earth containing nothing but two giraffes’ hooves. —AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025

Throughout their travels, the women dive headfirst into new experiences like bungee jumping and feeding giraffes, pushing them out of their comfort zones and into vulnerable moments. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025

The giraffe's only living relative, okapi are native to the Ituri Rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. —Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025

People dressed in all kinds of costumes, including as unicorns, the Pokémon Eevee and a giraffe. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing giraffe

• reticulated giraffe

Rhymes for giraffe

• behalf
• carafe
• digraph
• distaff
• falstaff
• subgraph
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph

Kids Definition

giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe ˈjə-ˈraf 

plural giraffes or giraffe

: a large swift cud-chewing spotted African mammal with a very long neck that is the tallest of living four-footed animals