animal

[ an-uh-muhl ]

noun

1. any member of the kingdom Animalia, comprising multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli: some classification schemes also include protozoa and certain other single-celled eukaryotes that have motility and animallike nutritional modes.
2. any such living thing other than a human being.
3. a mammal, as opposed to a fish, bird, etc.
4. the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of human beings; animality:

   the animal in every person.

5. an inhuman person; brutish or beastlike person:

   She married an animal.

   Synonyms: monster

6. thing:

   A perfect job? Is there any such animal?

adjective

1. of, relating to, or derived from animals:

   animal instincts; animal fats.

2. pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature:

   animal needs.

   Synonyms: brutal, beastly, physical, fleshly

animal

/ ˈænɪməl /

noun

1. zoology any living organism characterized by voluntary movement, the possession of cells with noncellulose cell walls and specialized sense organs enabling rapid response to stimuli, and the ingestion of complex organic substances such as plants and other animals zoo-
2. any mammal, esp any mammal except man
3. a brutish person
4. facetious.
   a person or thing (esp in the phrase no such animal )
5. informal.
   a very dirty car

adjective

1. of, relating to, or derived from animals

   an animal characteristic

   animal products

2. of or relating to the physical needs or desires; carnal; sensual

animal

/ ăn′ə-məl /

1. Any of the multicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Animalia. All animals are eukaryotes, with each of their cells having a nucleus containing DNA. Most animals develop from a blastula and have a digestive tract, nervous system, the ability to move voluntarily, and specialized sensory organs for recognizing and responding to stimuli in the environment. Animals are heterotrophs, feeding on plants, other animals, or organic matter. The first animals probably evolved from protists and appeared during the Precambrian Era.

Other Words From

• an·i·mal·ic [an-, uh, -, mal, -ik], an·i·ma·li·an [an-, uh, -, mey, -lee-, uh, n, -, meyl, -y, uh, n], adjective
• non·ani·mal noun adjective
• semi·ani·mal noun adjective
• super·ani·mal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of animal¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin, noun derivative (with loss of final vowel and shortening of ā ) of animāle, neuter of animālis “living, animate,” equivalent to anim(a) “air, breath” + -ālis; English adjective also directly from Latin animālis; -al ¹;

Word History and Origins

Origin of animal¹

C14: from Latin animal (n), from animālis (adj) living, breathing; see anima

Synonym Study

Animal, beast, brute refer to sentient creatures as distinct from minerals and plants; figuratively, they usually connote qualities and characteristics below the human level. Animal is the general word; figuratively, it applies merely to the body or to animal-like characteristics: An athlete is a magnificent animal. Beast refers to four-footed animals; figuratively, it suggests a base, sensual nature: A glutton is a beast. Brute implies absence of ability to reason; figuratively, it connotes savagery as well: a drunken brute. See carnal.

Example Sentences

He then provides some insight into his psyche - complete with Animal House reference.

From The Daily Beast

Although the NFL party animal loves flaunting his washboard abs, he seems more fratboy than Fabio.

From The Daily Beast

This is acting in every sense of the word—bringing an unevolved animal to life and making it utterly believable.

From The Daily Beast

Not sure if you noticed, but 2014 has been a banner year for animal robots.

From The Daily Beast

A 64-year-old animal trainer, he makes the six-hour round-trip every two weeks to submit to her and explore his sexuality.

From The Daily Beast

In pursuing his alchemical researches, he discovered Prussian blue, and the animal oil which bears his name.

From Project Gutenberg

Both animal and man seemed to be dozing, but they woke into activity when the sahib approached.

From Project Gutenberg

A girl was moved to pity by a picture of a lamb caught in a thicket, and tried to lift the branch that lay across the animal.

From Project Gutenberg

The impulse to study appearances appears to reach far down in animal life.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes the animal was caught in a trap which was nothing less than a hut of logs with a single entrance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beast
• creature
• pet