fauna
Americannoun
plural
faunas, faunae-
the animals of a given region or period considered as a whole.
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a treatise on the animals of a given region or period.
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(initial capital letter) Bona Dea.
noun
-
all the animal life of a given place or time, esp when distinguished from the plant life (flora)
-
a descriptive list of such animals
plural
faunasOther Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fauna
1765–75; < New Latin, special use of Latin Fauna, a feminine counterpart to Faunus; cf. Flora
Explanation
When you go on a nature walk in a school setting, your teacher might tell you to observe the flora and fauna in the woods. Flora is plant life; fauna refers to animals. Fauna derives from the name of a Roman goddess, but the handiest way to remember the difference between flora and fauna is that flora sounds like flowers, which are part of the plant world; fauna, however, sounds like "fawn," and fawns are part of the animal kingdom.
Vocabulary lists containing fauna
Physical Geography - Introductory
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Physical Geography - Middle School
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "F"
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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.
He's concerned about how long it will take for flora and fauna to return.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
"Describing the species encountered during these studies is a critical step in documenting the rich biodiversity of the CCZ, enabling us to communicate effectively about the fauna."
From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2026
When a young boy takes over a beaver-bot to stop a construction company’s plan to destroy the local habitat, he accidentally launches an uprising against all humanity among the local fauna.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026
They are famous for their unique flora and fauna and are where British scientist Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution.
From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026
Thus, New Guineans have had ample opportunity to get to know their local flora and fauna.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
