monkey

[ muhng-kee ]

/ ˈmʌŋ ki /

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See synonyms for monkey on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural mon·keys.

any of more than 250 species of simian primates belonging to the two distinct lines of New World monkeys and Old World monkeys.

the fur of certain species of such long-haired animals.

a person whose behavior is likened to such an animal, as a mischievous, agile child or a mimic: My nephew is the most adorable little monkey—he'll try to climb anything he can reach.

Disparaging and Offensive. (used as a slur against a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, especially a Black person.)

a dance, deriving from the twist, in which the partners move their hands as if climbing a pole and jerk their heads back and forth.

Slang. an addiction to narcotics.

any of various mechanical devices, as the ram of a pile driver.

Coal Mining. a small passageway or opening.

British Slang. the sum of 500 pounds.

Australian Informal. a sheep.

verb (used without object), mon·keyed, mon·key·ing.

Informal. to play or trifle idly; fool (often followed by around or with).

verb (used with object), mon·keyed, mon·key·ing.

to imitate; ape; mimic.

to mock.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about monkey

a monkey on one's back, Slang.

an addiction to a drug or drugs; narcotic dependency.
an enduring and often vexing habit or urge.
a burdensome problem, situation, or responsibility; personal affliction or hindrance.

make a monkey out of, to cause to appear ridiculous; make a fool of.Also make a monkey of.

Origin of monkey

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain; possibly from Low German; compare Middle Low German Moneke (name of son of Martin the Ape in the story of Reynard the Fox), equivalent to mone- (akin to obsolete French monne “she-ape,” Spanish, Portuguese mono “ape”) + -ke diminutive suffix

usage note for monkey

See simianization.

OTHER WORDS FROM monkey

mon·key·ish, adjectivemon·key·ish·ly, adverbmon·key·ish·ness, noun

Words nearby monkey

monitory, monitress, Moniz, monk, monkery, monkey, monkey bars, monkey block, monkey bread, monkey bridge, monkey business

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use monkey in a sentence

Musk has already said the project allowed a monkey to control a computer device with its mind, and as the New York Times reported in 2019, Neuralink has demonstrated a system with 1,500 electrodes connected to a lab rat.
Elon Musk is one step closer to connecting a computer to your brain|Rebecca Heilweil|August 28, 2020|Vox
On the whole, monkeys in the groups that faced one or two stressors clung less to their mothers and more readily explored their new surroundings — showing less anxiety — than both the no-stress and the two high-stress groups.
Puberty can repair the brain’s stress responses after hardship early in life|Esther Landhuis|August 28, 2020|Science News
Studies in rodents and monkeys had shown that adversity early in life throws the HPA axis off-kilter.
Puberty may reboot the brain and behaviors|Esther Landhuis|August 27, 2020|Science News For Students
So the team studied squirrel monkeys that had not yet reached puberty.
A bit of stress may help young people build resilience|Esther Landhuis|August 27, 2020|Science News For Students

Remdesivir, however, was more potent in human lung cells, while GS-441524 was more potent in the monkey cells.
How two coronavirus drugs for cats might help humans fight COVID-19|Erin Garcia de Jesus|August 11, 2020|Science News
This has occurred with bean bag chairs, children's sweaters, and the Coco The Monkey Teething Toy.
9-Year Old With an Uzi? America Is Tougher on Toys Than Guns|Cliff Schecter|August 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Using skewers/tooth picks, attach monkey bread, Cinnabons, and churros to battleship.
Epic Meal Empire’s Meat Monstrosities: From the Bacon Spider to the Cinnabattleship|Harley Morenstein|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In July 1925, the town hosted the Scopes Monkey Trial, a landmark case in the history of creationism.
The Scopes Monkey Trial 2.0: It’s Not About the Stupid Science-Deniers|Michael Schulson|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The monkey seemed to be sticking his tongue out at me in defiance.
How I (Digitally) Killed My Twitter Impostor|JoBeth McDaniel|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I had no way of knowing—or even asking—if they had mistaken this monkey-faced avatar for me.
How I (Digitally) Killed My Twitter Impostor|JoBeth McDaniel|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the greatest danger I ever underwent in that kingdom was from a monkey, who belonged to one of the clerks of the kitchen.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
So when Yung Pak's father made him a present of a monkey—a real monkey—alive—he just danced with glee.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
After a little while Yung Pak got used to these "monkey shines," and he knew that his pet would not stay away long after mealtime.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
And here M. Barbiche suddenly threw himself into the attitude of an enraged and aggressive monkey.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Every night when he goes to bed, the monkey curls himself up by his side and lies there till morning.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade

British Dictionary definitions for monkey

monkey

/ (ˈmʌŋkɪ) /

noun

any of numerous long-tailed primates excluding the prosimians (lemurs, tarsiers, etc): comprise the families Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys), Cebidae (New World monkeys), and Callithricidae (marmosets)See Old World monkey, New World monkey Related adjective: simian

any primate except man

a naughty or mischievous person, esp a child

the head of a pile-driver (monkey engine) or of some similar mechanical device

(modifier) nautical denoting a small light structure or piece of equipment contrived to suit an immediate purposea monkey foresail; a monkey bridge

US and Canadian slang an addict's dependence on a drug

slang a butt of derision; someone made to look a fool (esp in the phrase make a monkey of)

slang (esp in bookmaking) £500

US and Canadian slang $500

Australian slang, archaic a sheep

give a monkey's British slang to care about or regard as importantwho gives a monkey's what he thinks?

have a monkey on one's back slang

to be troubled by a persistent problem
US and Canadian to be addicted to a drug

verb

(intr; usually foll by around, with, etc) to meddle, fool, or tinker

(tr) rare to imitate; ape

Word Origin for monkey

C16: perhaps from Low German; compare Middle Low German Moneke name of the ape's son in the tale of Reynard the Fox

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 Idioms and Phrases with monkey

monkey

In addition to the idioms beginning with monkey

monkey business
monkey on one's back

also see:

fool (monkey) around
make a fool (monkey) of
more fun than a barrel of monkeys
throw a monkey wrench

monkey

Idioms about monkey

Origin of monkey

usage note for monkey

OTHER WORDS FROM monkey

Words nearby monkey

Words related to monkey

How to use monkey in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for monkey

Word Origin for monkey

Other Idioms and Phrases with monkey