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

In March, the zoo announced Tessa, a 19-year-old giraffe, was pregnant with her fifth calf. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

There’s even a rather obvious scene where Semjonova connects with a giraffe caged in a zoo. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 2 June 2026

Altogether, the projects are meant to build on previous additions like the aquarium and the giraffe complex. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026

Elephants are commonly seen, along with buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, impalas and a growing number of predators, including lions and leopards. —Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

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
• distaff
• falstaff
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph
• hodograph
• holograph

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