animal
animal Lexical Profile
animal Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A living, multicellular organism of the biological kingdom Animalia that feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli.
"Children learn early in school to distinguish between a plant and an animal."
A cruel, violent, or uncivilized person who behaves in a brutish or inhuman manner.
"The witnesses described the vandals who destroyed the community center as complete animals."
A particular type of person, thing, or organization characterized by a specified nature or environment.
"Having spent thirty years in parliament, he was a true political animal who thrived on debate."
• adjective
Relating to, characteristic of, or derived from animals rather than plants or minerals.
"The laboratory analyzed the nutritional differences between plant and animal proteins."
Relating to the physical, sensual, or instinctual appetites of human beings as opposed to their spiritual or intellectual nature.
"In moments of extreme danger, survival often depends on pure animal instinct."
Word Nuance & Usage
In biological classification, humans are members of the kingdom Animalia, though in everyday English 'animal' is frequently used in contrast to human beings.
• Rhymes for animal
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin animal ('living being, creature'), a noun derived from the adjective animalis ('having breath or soul'), from anima ('breath, soul, vital principle').