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Definition of silky anteater
silky anteater
Plural:silky anteaters
silky anteater Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A small, nocturnal, strictly arboreal mammal (Cyclopes didactylus) native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, distinguished by its soft golden-yellow fur, prehensile tail, and a diet consisting almost exclusively of ants.
Example
"During the night hike in the Costa Rican rainforest, the biology students were thrilled to spot a tiny silky anteater clinging to a branch."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name describes its remarkably soft, golden-yellow pelage ('silky') and its specialized diet ('anteater'). Scientifically known as Cyclopes didactylus, referencing its round face and two-toed front claws.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Silky anteater. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/silky anteater