Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

giraffe

noun gi·raffe \ jə-ˈraf \
|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Definition of giraffe

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 capitalized : camelopardalis
—

giraffish

play \jə-ˈra-fish\ adjective

See giraffe defined for English-language learners

See giraffe defined for kids

Recent Examples of giraffe from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'giraffe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of giraffe

illustration of giraffe

Origin and Etymology of giraffe

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

GIRAFFE Defined for English Language Learners

giraffe

noun

Definition of giraffe for English Language Learners

  • : a very tall African animal that has an extremely long neck and legs

GIRAFFE Defined for Kids

giraffe

noun gi·raffe \ jə-ˈraf \

Definition of giraffe for Students

: a spotted mammal of Africa with a very long neck that feeds mostly on the leaves of trees and is the tallest of living animals on land

Learn More about giraffe

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of giraffe Nglish: Translation of giraffe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of giraffe for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about giraffe

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up giraffe? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

satiety

play

fullness to the point of excess

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

gir
giraffe

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games