Definition of monkey
monkeys
1 : a nonhuman primate mammal with the exception usually of the lemurs and tarsiers; especially : any of the smaller longer-tailed catarrhine or platyrrhine primates as contrasted with the apes
2a : a person resembling a monkeyb : a ludicrous figure : dupe
3 : any of various machines, implements, or vessels; especially : the falling weight of a pile driver
4 : a desperate desire for or addiction to drugs —often used in the phrase monkey on one's back; broadly : a persistent or annoying encumbrance or problem
From the M-W Editors
Examples of monkey in a Sentence
He's quite a cheeky little monkey, isn't he?
I've got this monkey on my back, and going to detox is the only way to get it off.
Recent Examples of monkey from the Web
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The league has rescued monkeys, pigs, ponies, even a drug dealer's cougar, and thousands of dogs and cats every year.
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The film has yet to cast the villainous Jafar, the squawking Iago, the monkey Abu, and the tiger Raja.
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The film has yet to cast the villainous Jafar, the squawking Iago, the monkey Abu, and the tiger Raja.
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While monkeys were unable to think too far into the future, great apes like chimps, bonobos and orangutans showed the ability to plan.
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Do not expect to read anything in this section about Few finally getting the monkey off his back.
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Whoa Zone is an inflatable floating water park featuring slides, monkey bars, climbing towers and more.
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Macaque monkeys contracted chronic wasting disease after eating meat from CWD-positive deer, according to Canadian researchers.
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Those sound like some extremely healthy, young-at-heart monkeys!
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monkey.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of monkey
probably of Low German origin; akin to Moneke, name of an ape, probably of Romance origin; akin to Old Spanish mona monkey
monkey
Definition of monkey
monkeyed
;monkeying
Recent Examples of monkey from the Web
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Again, negotiators might monkey around a bit with the formula for how rapidly the Obamacare Medicaid expansion is killed and how deeply the long-term Medicaid cap would bite.
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Why do thriving sports feel the need to monkey around with their product?
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monkey.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of monkey
circa 1658
MONKEY Defined for English Language Learners
monkey
playDefinition of monkey for English Language Learners
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: a type of animal that is closely related to apes and humans and that has a long tail and usually lives in trees
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: a person (especially a child) who causes trouble in a playful way
MONKEY Defined for Kids
Definition of monkey for Students
monkeys
: a furry animal of warm regions that has a long tail and that along with the apes is most closely related to humans
Definition of monkey for Students
monkeyed
;monkeying
1 : to spend time in an idle or aimless way We just monkeyed around in the gym.
2 : to handle secretly or in a careless or incorrect way He didn't want anyone monkeying with the cash register … — George Selden, The Cricket in Times Square
Medical Dictionary
monkey
playMedical Definition of monkey
: a nonhuman primate mammal with the exception usually of the lemurs and tarsiers; especially : any of the smaller longer-tailed primates as contrasted with the apes
Learn More about monkey
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See words that rhyme with monkey Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for monkey Spanish Central: Translation of monkey Nglish: Translation of monkey for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of monkey for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monkey
Seen and Heard
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