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Definition of spider monkey

spider monkey

Plural:spider monkeys
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spider monkey Lexical Profile

• noun

1

Any of several New World monkeys of the genus Ateles, native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, characterized by their exceptionally long, slender limbs and highly prehensile tail.

Example

"The spider monkey swung effortlessly through the dense rainforest canopy using its strong tail as a fifth limb."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for spider monkey

• Nearby Words

spider agama
spider flower
spider lily
spider monkey
spider plant
spider tortoise
spider-tailed horned viper

Word Origin & Etymology

Named for their spider-like appearance when hanging from branches, which is due to their disproportionately long, spindly limbs and highly flexible prehensile tail.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Spider monkey. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/spider monkey
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