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

But the giraffe, which stands roughly the height of a tree, hasn't turned up. — CBS News, 25 June 2026

The ranch has had giraffes on the property for about 30 years, said Jones, but Gracie's behavior was a surprise. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 June 2026

The Cedar Hollow Ranch in Texas is searching for a missing giraffe named Gracie. — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 24 June 2026

Explicitly in South Africa, the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof features local art in common areas, South African textiles and prints, and a lobby anchored by a towering giraffe sculpture by a local artist. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 23 June 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