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

Trump smart, pass brain test, name giraffe. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026

Activities on offer range from safaris (expect cheetahs and giraffes) and nature walks showcasing the beauty of the United Arab Emirates to archery classes and history tours. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2026

In the next clip, Meghan also fed an animal, giving a giraffe a piece of lettuce. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026

This is another strategy that parallels large browsing mammals today — such as giraffes and elephants — which rely more on their size and reach than speed. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 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
• 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