1 an·i·mal
Pronounced:
/ˈænəməl/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural an·i·malsMeaning:
[count] 1 : a living thing that is not a human being or plant ▪ people and animals ▪ the animals in the zoo ▪ the plants and animals of the forest ▪ She loves all kinds of animals. ▪ pigs, chickens, and other farm animals [=animals that live on a farm] —often used to refer specifically to mammals as distinguished from other living things (such as fish and birds) ▪ the plants, birds, and animals of the forest ▪ furry little animals ▪ wild/domestic animals —see also pack animal, stuffed animal
2 : any living thing that is not a plant ▪ Fish, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, and human beings are all animals. ▪ Dogs, like humans, are social animals. [=animals that live in groups] ▪ studying the habits of the human animal [=the habits of human beings; the habits of people in general]
3 : a person who behaves in a wild, aggressive, or unpleasant way ▪ He's a real animal. ▪ You're all behaving like a bunch of animals. —see also party animal
4 somewhat informal : a person or thing of a particular kind ▪ You want someone who will love you and give you everything you want but ask nothing in return? Let's face it, there's no such animal! [=there is no person who will do that] ▪ Everyone wants a computer that always works perfectly, but there's no such animal. ▪ The sport has changed. It's a very/completely different animal today. [=it's very/completely different today] ▪ His wife has always been a political animal. [=has always been very interested in politics]
2 : any living thing that is not a plant ▪ Fish, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, and human beings are all animals. ▪ Dogs, like humans, are social animals. [=animals that live in groups] ▪ studying the habits of the human animal [=the habits of human beings; the habits of people in general]
3 : a person who behaves in a wild, aggressive, or unpleasant way ▪ He's a real animal. ▪ You're all behaving like a bunch of animals. —see also party animal
4 somewhat informal : a person or thing of a particular kind ▪ You want someone who will love you and give you everything you want but ask nothing in return? Let's face it, there's no such animal! [=there is no person who will do that] ▪ Everyone wants a computer that always works perfectly, but there's no such animal. ▪ The sport has changed. It's a very/completely different animal today. [=it's very/completely different today] ▪ His wife has always been a political animal. [=has always been very interested in politics]