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Definition of sumatran orangutan
sumatran orangutan
Plural:Sumatran orangutans
sumatran orangutan Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A critically endangered species of great ape (Pongo abelii) native exclusively to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, distinguished from other orangutans by its lighter red hair, longer facial hair, and highly arboreal lifestyle.
Example
"Conservationists are working tirelessly to protect the remaining rainforest habitat of the Sumatran orangutan, which is heavily threatened by illegal logging and palm oil plantations."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The term combines the proper adjective 'Sumatran', indicating the native island of Sumatra, with 'orangutan', which is derived from the Malay words 'orang' (person) and 'hutan' (forest), literally translating to 'person of the forest'.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sumatran orangutan. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sumatran orangutan