apish

[ey-pish]

adjective

1. having the qualities, appearance, or ways of an ape.

2. slavishly imitative.

3. foolishly affected; silly.

apish

/ ˈeɪpɪʃ /

adjective

1. stupid; foolish

2. resembling an ape

3. slavishly imitative

Other Word Forms

• apishly adverb
• apishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apish¹

First recorded in 1525–35; ape + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

We, these weird, apish creatures capable of pondering their own origins, are the biggest mystery of all, I say.

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Returning to our humble, apish roots is the only way to see anti-science sentiment go the way of the dodo.

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They are evolutionary throwbacks, “savages” with apish, “atavistic” features.

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In his grossest display of disaffection, he apishly smeared his feces on the embassy walls, according to Ecuador’s interior minister.

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My arms suddenly felt apishly long, knuckles threatening to scrape the pavement.

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