yeti

American  

[yet-ee] / ˈyɛt i /

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. Abominable Snowman.

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yeti British  

/ ˈjɛtɪ /

noun

1. another term for abominable snowman

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Etymology

Origin of yeti

First recorded in 1950–55; < the Tibetan language of the Sherpas

Compare meaning

How does yeti compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Sasquatch vs. yeti

Explanation

A yeti is a mythical creature that's said to live in the Himalayan mountains. Another name for a yeti is "abominable snowman." While most people consider the yeti to be a legend, there are those who believe it's a real human-like creature that lives in Nepal and Tibet. The yeti — which is often spelled with a capital Y — has long been part of Tibetan legend and myth, and has existed in Western popular culture since the 19th century, when Himalayan explorers first reported seeing a strange, tall creature. The Tibetan root of yeti is yeh-teh, "small manlike animal."

Example Sentences

“Imagine you had to publish a debunking of the yeti in the yeti-hunting journal and the only people who peer review it are yeti experts,” he says.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 20, 2024

Behind the magic: “In ‘Yeti: Campground Kills’ we created a tribe of yeti that ranged in fur colors and age.

From Washington Times • Oct. 16, 2023

A huggable gray marled knit featured the brand name emblazoned across it and led the way for myriad shaggy, multicolor retro looks that came across as part-Woodstock, part mythical yeti.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2023

The plot of this animated family-friendly adventure movie kicks off when Yi discovers a lost yeti hiding on the roof of her apartment.

From New York Times • May 23, 2022

The yeti devours anything that strays into its path, though it fears fire and may be repulsed by skilled wizards.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling