Search Dictionary
Definition of jackal
jackal
/ˈdʒæk.əl/
jack · al
Plural:jackals
jackal Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
5
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
jackal Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A slender, long-legged wild dog native to Africa, Asia, and southeastern Europe, known for its opportunistic diet of scavenging and hunting small prey.
Example
"As the sun set over the savanna, the distinct howl of a jackal echoed across the plains."
2
A person who performs routine or menial tasks for another, often implying subservience, or someone who ruthlessly exploits the work or misfortune of others.
Example
"The corrupt executive was surrounded by a pack of jackals eager to profit from the company's downfall."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for jackal• Rhymes for jackal
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Turkish 'çakal', which derives from Persian 'šağâl', ultimately tracing back to the Sanskrit word 'śṛgāla', meaning 'the howler'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Jackal. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/jackal