Meaning & use

animal

noun·Everyday

A living organism that can move independently and feeds on organic matter, distinct from plants.

See it in a sentence

The zoo houses animals from every continent, including lions, penguins, and elephants.

Farmers must provide clean water and shelter for their animals year-round.

A note on using this word

Informally, calling a person 'an animal' can mean they behave wildly or, in sports slang, that they are exceptionally skilled.

Words with a similar meaning

creaturebeast

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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