jackal

American  

[jak-uhl, -awl] / ˈdʒæk əl, -ɔl /

noun

1. any of several nocturnal wild dogs of the genus Canis, especially C. aureus, of Asia and Africa, that scavenge or hunt in packs.

2. a person who performs dishonest or base deeds as the follower or accomplice of another.

3. a person who performs menial or degrading tasks for another.

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jackal British  

/ ˈdʒækɔːl /

noun

1. any of several African or S Asian canine mammals of the genus Canis , closely related to the dog, having long legs and pointed ears and muzzle: predators and carrion-eaters

2. a person who does menial tasks for another

3. a villain, esp a swindler

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Etymology

Origin of jackal

1595–1605; < alteration, by association with Jack, of Persian shag ( h ) āl; cognate with Sanskrit śṛgāla

Compare meaning

How does jackal compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• jackal vs. hyena

Example Sentences

I suppose she is referring to an alley cat or perhaps a jackal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

Dead animals littered the side of the road; deer, raccoons, something that looked like a purple jackal, a Chupacabra or two, what looked like a werewolf, and at least one low-flying turkey vulture.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2024

An all-action 30-minute cameo, which included a run down the wing and a jackal turnover on his own line, showed why his potential is so high.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2024

Despite the Ivy League imprimatur, the cartoonist was still happy when people called him “the retching jackal guy,” a reference to his Mad illustration showing that animal mid-vomit.

From Washington Post • Apr. 10, 2023

“I wonder who the hyena and jackal are?”

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer