monkey

1 of 2

noun

mon·​key ˈməŋ-kē How to pronounce monkey (audio)
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
2
a
: a person resembling a monkey
b
: 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

monkey

2 of 2

verb

monkeyed; monkeying

intransitive verb

1
: to act in a grotesque or mischievous manner
2
a
: fool, trifle
often used with around
he likes to monkey around with engines
b
: tamper
usually used with with
don't monkey with the settings

Examples of monkey in a Sentence

Noun 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 on the Web
Noun
Here are some ways to build your table inspired by the tableaus set by these five creatives from Wing on Wo’s supine monkey centerpiece to Gohar World’s Battenberg lace wine glass slipper. Chloe Malle, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2023 Each episode of Scavengers Reign is packed with absolutely bizarre alien life, from hypnotic killer monkeys to aquatic egg-eating monstrosities. Andrew Webster, The Verge, 23 Nov. 2023 Earlier this year, a 3-year-old boy was abducted by a monkey that carried the child up a cliff. Michael Lee, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2023 Researchers created a monkey that combines cells from two different individuals; a lab technique gave it a strange green glow Scientists have just achieved a milestone in stem-cell biology after creating a monkey from two embryos. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 Here guests will spy a hanging monkey, trying to manipulate a timer that is designed to release food. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023 Scientists have just achieved a milestone in stem-cell biology after creating a monkey from two embryos. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 Deer and boars, in particular, can wreak havoc on agricultural produce, while encounters between humans and monkeys or bears can escalate into dangerous confrontations. Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2023 The two held up 21-month-old son Dawson, who wore an Abu onesie costume, complete with the monkey's purple vest. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
Verb
The Bears will be prepared for the environment, but getting that Morgantown monkey off their back will take a lot more than imagined. Michael Haag, Dallas News, 10 Oct. 2022 With supply running low toward the end of most evenings, savvy bun fanatics don’t monkey around, routinely calling ahead to request an extra skillet of rolls set aside just for them. Ettan. Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021 But this experiment isn't about monkeying around—this a real security and safety hazard, the researchers point out in a new paper. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 31 Jan. 2020 To make matters more confusing, Apple monkeyed around with the names of the new stuff. Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2019 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monkey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably of Low German origin; akin to Moneke, name of an ape, probably of Romance origin; akin to Old Spanish mona monkey

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1658, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of monkey was circa 1530

Dictionary Entries Near monkey

Cite this Entry

“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monkey. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

monkey

1 of 2 noun
mon·​key ˈməŋ-kē How to pronounce monkey (audio)
plural monkeys
1
: any of a group of primate animals other than human beings that are furry and live in warm regions
especially : ones that are small and long-tailed as compared to the apes
2
: a ridiculous person
: fool
monkeyish
-kē-ish
adjective

monkey

2 of 2 verb
monkeyed; monkeying
1
: to act in a playful or mischievous manner
2
: meddle, tamper
don't monkey with the lawn mower

Medical Definition

monkey

noun
mon·​key ˈməŋ-kē How to pronounce monkey (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on monkey

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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