anal

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounmedicaltechnical

   Relating to the anus, the opening at the end of the digestive tract.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: anal surgery, anal gland.

   Patterns

   • anal canal
   • anal fin

   The patient was referred for anal surgery.

   Fish have an anal fin near the tail.

   The doctor examined the anal canal during the check.

2. 2adjectivecomparableinformaldisapproving

   Overly careful about small details or rules, in a way that others find annoying.

   Grammar: Can follow a verb: she is anal about it; or come before a noun.

   Patterns

   • anal about something

   My boss is anal about spelling in every email.

   He is a bit anal about keeping his desk perfectly neat.

   Don't be so anal; the report doesn't need to be perfect.

Word forms

Common combinations

anal fin

The anal fin helps the fish keep steady.

anal canal

A muscle controls the anal canal.

anal about

She is anal about punctuality.

a bit anal

I know I'm a bit anal when it comes to filing.

anal gland

Dogs have two small anal glands.

Synonyms and how they differ

fussy

Fussy sounds milder and can describe someone picky about food or small things, whereas anal sounds sharper and judgmental.

pedantic

Pedantic means overly concerned with strict rules or tiny facts in a showy way, which is narrower than anal.

obsessive

Obsessive is stronger and may suggest a serious habit, while anal is a casual criticism.

meticulous

Meticulous is usually positive and means very careful, but anal is nearly always a mild insult.

Opposites

Word family

anus noun

the opening at the end of the digestive tract

anally adverb

in an anal way, rarely used

anal-retentive adjective

extremely tidy and controlling

perianal adjective

around the anus

Commonly confused: anal or annal?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “anal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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