easy
A rabbit is an animal, and a human is an animal too.
What does Animal mean?
An animal is a living organism; in everyday speech, the word often means a creature other than a human.
Dictionary definition
A living organism in the animal kingdom; in everyday use, usually a living creature other than a human. Animal can also mean a person or thing of a certain type, and as an adjective it means related to or obtained from animals.
Example sentences
Animal in a sentence
medium
The wildlife camera recorded an animal leaving tiny tracks in the snow.
hard
Wool is an animal fibre because it comes from sheep.
hard
The coach called Mira a competitive animal because she loved every challenge.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Animal
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Which statement uses the scientific meaning of animal?
In biology, humans and all those groups belong to the animal kingdom.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses animal as an adjective?
Animal describes the kind of cells being compared, so it acts as an adjective.
Practice 3
What does animal mean in “Chess is a different animal from checkers”?
Informally, animal can describe a person or thing as a particular type.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Animal
Voice settings
Sounds like
an · uh · mul · strongest beat: an
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordAnimal.
Partnoun, adjective.
MeaningAnimal means An animal is a living organism; in everyday speech, the word often means a creature other than a human.
ExampleExample: A rabbit is an animal, and a human is an animal too.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- an · uh · mul
- Strongest beat
- an
- Ending
- mul
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on an.
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Synonyms
Words like Animal
Antonym review
Does Animal have an opposite?
Animal names a biological kingdom and several ordinary senses, so it has no direct antonym. Plant, fungus, and nonliving object are contrasting categories, not lexical opposites.
Synonym practice
Want to practice animal synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The animal moved quietly through the grass," then compare close word choices. Practice animal synonyms.
Word family
Animal word family
Base word
animal
noun
animals
The plural form of animal.
adjective
animalistic
Resembling behaviour thought of as physical, instinctive, or animal-like.
noun
animality
The state or qualities of being an animal; an advanced and uncommon form.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Animal
Hint for students
Use the surrounding words to decide whether animal means any member of the animal kingdom, a nonhuman creature, or a particular type of person or thing.
Common mix-up
Animal does not scientifically mean only mammals or only nonhuman creatures. In biology, birds, fish, insects, and humans are animals too.
Try it in class or at home
Students sort organism cards into animal, plant, fungus, and other groups, then sort the animal cards again into mammals, birds, fish, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. They explain which feature supports each choice.
Teacher prompt
Compare “Humans are animals” with “The shelter cares for animals.” Why can both sentences be correct even though everyday speech often separates humans from other animals?
Animal Classification Wheel
Compare animals with the Classification Vocabulary Wheel
Spin this researched animal vocabulary wheel to compare body groups, backbones, diets, predator-prey roles, and the evidence behind each classification.
Learning activities
Practice Animal and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice ANIMAL” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice ANIMAL
Sentence Builder
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Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
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Vocabulary Match
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Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
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Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
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