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Definition of gnu
gnu
/nuː/
gnu
Plural:gnus
gnu Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
5
Tier
2
Usage
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Scrabble US
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Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A large, dark African antelope of the genus Connochaetes, characterized by a long head, a beard and mane, and a sloping back; commonly known as a wildebeest.
Example
"During the Great Migration, millions of gnus travel across the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing land."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for gnuWord Nuance & Usage
The 'g' in 'gnu' is traditionally silent, making it a homophone of 'new' and 'knew'. It is synonymous with 'wildebeest'.
• Rhymes for gnu
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into English in the late 18th century from Dutch 'gnoe' and French 'gnou', originally from a Khoisan language (likely Khoikhoi 'i-nu'), imitating the animal's grunting call.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gnu. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gnu