Meaning & use
fauna
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Meaning
noununcountable
The animals that live naturally in a particular area, habitat, or period of time.
Grammar: Uncountable; used with a singular verb: 'The fauna is diverse.' Often paired with 'flora'.
Patterns
- the fauna of a region
- local fauna
- flora and fauna
The island's fauna includes several species found nowhere else.
Pollution has harmed the river's fauna.
Scientists studied the fauna of the deep ocean.
Common combinations
- flora and fauna
- The park protects both flora and fauna.
- native fauna
- Introduced species can threaten native fauna.
- marine fauna
- Marine fauna suffer when plastic enters the ocean.
- the region's fauna
- The region's fauna is adapted to dry conditions.
Synonyms and how they differ
- animal life
- A general term; 'fauna' is more formal and often used in scientific or environmental contexts.
- wildlife
- Wildlife refers to undomesticated animals; fauna can include all animal life, even in a specific habitat.
Opposites
Word family
- faunal adjective
- Relating to the animals of a region.
- faunally adverb
- In a manner relating to fauna (rare).
Commonly confused: fauna or flora? fauna or fawn?
fauna vs flora
Flora refers to plant life; fauna refers to animal life. They are often paired together.
fauna vs fawn
A fawn is a young deer; fauna is the collective term for animals.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'fauna' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Fauna refers to animal life, so lizards and snakes are correct. Option A confuses fauna with flora, and the other options misuse it as a verb or noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fauna”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.