animal

noun
an·​i·​mal | \ ˈa-nə-məl How to pronounce animal (audio) \

Definition of animal

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (such as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (such as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor responses to stimulation
2a : one of the lower animals (see lower entry 3 sense 3) as distinguished from human beings
b : mammal broadly : vertebrate
3 : a human being considered chiefly as physical or nonrational also : this nature
4 : a person with a particular interest or aptitude a political animal He's a party animal.
5 : matter, thing the theater … is an entirely different animal— Arthur Miller also : creature sense 1c

animal

adjective

Definition of animal (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of, relating to, resembling, or derived from animals animal instincts animal behavior
2a : of or relating to the physical or sentient as contrasted with the intellectual or rational
b : sensual, fleshly indulged his animal appetites
3 : of or relating to the animal pole of an egg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from animal

Noun

animallike \ ˈa-​nə-​mə(l)-​ˌlīk How to pronounce animallike (audio) \ adjective

Adjective

animally \ ˈa-​nə-​mə-​lē How to pronounce animally (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for animal

Synonyms: Noun

beast, beastie, brute, creature, critter

Synonyms: Adjective

bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, material, physical, somatic

Antonyms: Adjective

nonmaterial, nonphysical

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Choose the Right Synonym for animal

Adjective

carnal, fleshly, sensual, animal mean having a relation to the body. carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature. a slave to carnal desires fleshly is less derogatory than carnal. a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual. fleshpots providing sensual delights animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person. led a mindless animal existence

Did You Know?

Latin anima means “breath” or “soul,” and animalis, the adjective that comes from it, means “having breath or soul.” An animal such as a cat or dog can be seen to breathe. Plants breathe too, by taking in certain gases from the atmosphere and releasing others. However, this process cannot be observed by the naked eye. So the noun animal, which comes from animalis, was borrowed from Latin for that group of living beings that breathe visibly.

Examples of animal in a Sentence

Noun

the animals in the zoo the plants and animals of the forest She loves all kinds of animals. Fish, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, and human beings are all animals. You're all behaving like a bunch of animals.

Adjective

several different plant and animal species milk, meat, and other animal products People were shocked by the animal brutality of the attack.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The Arbor Day Foundation also has a program to help save tropical rain forests which provide habitat for some 50% of the world's plants and animals. Susan Scutti, CNN, "Here's what we know about the fires in the Amazon rainforest," 23 Aug. 2019 Chemistry and Agriscience is a UC physical science course that deals with the chemistry of soils and agriculture and how that affects the life processes of plants and animals. Ramona Sentinel, "Mentors needed to assist Career Technical Education students," 22 Aug. 2019 The Amazon is also a biodiversity hotspot, and includes the most biodiverse place on Earth, making its preservation a matter of slowing down plant and animal extinctions, too. Daniel Wolfe, Quartz, "The fires in the Amazon were likely set intentionally," 21 Aug. 2019 The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has the authority to add plants and animals to the state’s list, but the process can take two years or more. Kurtis Alexander, SFChronicle.com, "Environmental groups sue Trump administration for weakening Endangered Species Act," 21 Aug. 2019 As plants and animals across our state are feeling the impacts of climate change and development, this is not the time to weaken protections. Gabriela Chavarria, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Protect the Endangered Species Act — we have too much to lose in Colorado and around the globe," 20 Aug. 2019 New this year: Cub Scouts and their families can enjoy a hike through Huntington Reservation to observe native plants and animals. Linda Gandee/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village now registering for fall Cub Scout programs," 16 Aug. 2019 As these plants and animals died, the cold slowed their decomposition. Katie Orlinsky, National Geographic, "Arctic permafrost is thawing fast. That affects us all.," 16 Aug. 2019 For ecologists, there is added urgency as many are trying to figure out the best way to help plants and animals cope with climate change. Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "An ecologist with an eye toward forecasting the future," 15 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

She’s more of an all-animal couturier, known for her work for everything from chihuahuas to rats. Raisa Bruner, Time, "Opera, Leopard Prints and Lace. Go Inside the Lavish Cat Fashion Show that Puts Felines on Fashion's Front Lines," 8 Aug. 2019 But the growing trend concerns animal experts, who say not enough empirical research exists to justify CBD’s safety and efficacy with dogs and cats. Hallie Miller, chicagotribune.com, "As cannabis market booms, pet owners indulge dogs, cats with CBD-infused ‘treats’," 23 July 2019 Pan was half-god, half-goat, so animal communion with a demi-god jams the circuits. Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Review: Getty Villa’s ‘Buried by Vesuvius’ is exquisite and, at times, explicit," 3 July 2019 The owner of the heavily wooded property, whose name was not released, has been arrested and faces animal cruelty charges, according to Tyler television station KLTV-TV. Loyd Brumfield, Dallas News, "More than 150 malnourished horses seized from East Texas rescue property," 27 June 2019 Her outfit combined two of spring 2019's biggest trends: bright orange and animal print. Glamour, "Priyanka Chopra Wore a $130 Mango Blazer With $695 Boots," 11 Apr. 2019 Many if not most animal activists focus on factory farming, which is undoubtedly a huge problem, killing about 9.2 billion animals in the US in 2015 alone. Dylan Matthews, Vox, "How to be a better carnivore," 14 Nov. 2018 Looking to eat less animal protein, but beans produce too much gas for your comfort? SELF, "Why This Registered Dietitian Tells (Some of) Her Patients to Avoid Kale Salads," 30 Nov. 2018 She was also fitted with a satellite tag so animal rescuers can monitor her. Gabrielle Russon, OrlandoSentinel.com, "SeaWorld: Good news animal story — 'Sharkie' the dolphin set