vervet

American  

[vur-vit] / ˈvɜr vɪt /

noun

1. an African monkey, Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus, allied to the green monkey and the grivet, but distinguished by a rusty patch at the root of the tail.

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vervet British  

/ ˈvɜːvɪt /

noun

1. a variety of a South African guenon monkey, Cercopithecus aethiops, having dark hair on the hands and feet and a reddish patch beneath the tail Compare green monkey grivet

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Etymology

Origin of vervet

1880–85; < French, equivalent to ver ( t ) green ( see vert) + ( gri ) vet grivet

Example Sentences

A primate expert from St Louis Zoo has identified the animals as vervet monkeys, the health department said.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

Now researchers reporting in the journal iScience on December 19 have found similarly varied social traditions and styles among neighboring groups of vervet monkeys.

From Science Daily • Dec. 19, 2023

But bountiful evidence now shows that culture exists in a wide variety of species, from bighorn sheep and vervet monkeys to meerkats and cranes.

From Scientific American • Mar. 7, 2023

“There is also an inherent risk of injury when handling wildlife. Monkeys can act defensively and may bite or scratch. Mammals, including vervet monkeys, may harbor diseases transmissible to humans including rabies,” the statement said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2022

We would be taken to an uninhabited island, Lolue, where I could watch vervet monkeys.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall