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Synonyms

anal

1 American  
[eyn-l] / ˈeɪn l /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, involving, or near the anus.

    anal cancer.

  2. Psychoanalysis.

    1. of or relating to the second stage of psychosexual development, during which gratification is derived from the retention or expulsion of feces.

    2. of or relating to an anal character.

    3. of or relating to gratification derived from stimulation of the anus.

      the pleasurable sensations of anal eroticism.
anal. 2 American  

abbreviation

  1. analogous.

  2. analogy.

  3. analysis.

  4. analytic.

anal British  
/ ˈeɪnəl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or near the anus

  2. psychoanal

    1. relating to a stage of psychosexual development during which the child's interest is concentrated on the anal region and excremental functions

    2. designating personality traits in the adult, such as orderliness, meanness, stubbornness, etc, due to fixation at the anal stage of development Compare genital oral phallic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • anally adverb
  • postanal adjective
  • preanal adjective
  • subanal adjective

Etymology

Origin of anal

First recorded in 1760–70; an(us) + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A woman diagnosed with anal cancer has said she thought she was going to die after being left in agony following pelvic radiotherapy treatment.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

This weekend, for the first time in Northern Ireland, patients, clinicians, and charities are hosting an event dedicated entirely to anal cancer awareness.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

The condition involves swollen veins in the anal or rectal area, which can lead to pain and bleeding.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

I’m kind of anal about how I choose the colors and how I highlight everything.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

“All right, guys, thanks for watching! Gotta double-check my afternoon and evening meds now. You know how anal I am. I hope everyone has a great week. Bye!”

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.