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

Jasiri, a reticulated giraffe at the Denver Zoo, will spend a few months at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for those breeding efforts, according to the organization. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026

While its giraffe exhibit remains under construction and closed to the public, the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium gave animal lovers a behind-the-scenes peak at their newborn baby giraffe this week. —Kendrick Calfee january 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026

The statement also noted that Masai giraffes were once the most common type of giraffe, but their numbers have dropped to just over 43,000. —Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026

Walk around Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge to see zebras, giraffes, and ostriches for free. —Carlye Wisel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 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