arboreal

American  

[ahr-bawr-ee-uhl, -bohr-] / ɑrˈbɔr i əl, -ˈboʊr- /

adjective

1. of or relating to trees; treelike.

2. Also living in or among trees.

3. Zoology. adapted for living and moving about in trees, as the limbs and skeleton of opossums, squirrels, monkeys, and apes.

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arboreal British  

/ ɑːˈbɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a tree

2. living in or among trees

   arboreal monkeys

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arboreal Scientific  

/ är-bôr′ē-əl /

1. Relating to or living in trees.

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Other Word Forms

• arboreally adverb
• subarboreal adjective

Etymology

Origin of arboreal

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin arbore(us) “of trees,” equivalent to arbor “tree” + -eus- -eous + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The oldest known chameleon fossils date to the early Miocene, about 16 to 23 million years ago, long after many of their arboreal adaptations had appeared.

From Science Daily

The bizarre single-tree fire has now become an almost weeklong firefight in Coos County, Ore., as the hot spot continues to burn approximately 280 feet up on the side of the arboreal giant.

From Los Angeles Times

Which understudy is ready to step onstage as our new arboreal star?

From Los Angeles Times

"Owning up to this arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery would make them public enemy number one," Mr Wright said.

From BBC

The best remains the fragrant and fruitful orange tree, the original arboreal icon that fetched newcomers here by the tens of thousands.

From Los Angeles Times