monkey

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noun mon·key \ˈməŋ-kē\

Definition of monkey

plural

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

See monkey defined for English-language learners

See monkey defined for kids

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.

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

NEW!

First Known Use: circa 1530

See Words from the same year

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

monkey

verb mon·key

Definition of monkey

monkeyed

;

monkeying

transitive verb
: mimic, mock
intransitive verb
1 : to act in a grotesque or mischievous manner
2a : fool, trifle —often used with around he likes to monkey around with enginesb : tamper —usually used with with don't monkey with the settings

See monkey defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of monkey

circa 1658

MONKEY Defined for English Language Learners

monkey

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noun

Definition of monkey for English Language Learners

: a type of animal that is closely related to apes and humans and that has a long tail and usually lives in trees
: a person (especially a child) who causes trouble in a playful way

MONKEY Defined for Kids

monkey

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noun mon·key \ˈməŋ-kē\

Definition of monkey for Students

plural

monkeys

: a furry animal of warm regions that has a long tail and that along with the apes is most closely related to humans

monkey

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verb mon·key

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

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noun mon·key \ˈməŋ-kē\

Medical 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