animal in English: A living thing that can move and feel, such as a dog, a bird, or a fish. (noun)

Translation

A living thing that can move and feel, such as a dog, a bird, or a fish.

Word origin

From Latin animal, from anima, meaning breath or life.

Origin: Latin
Root: animal

Grammar

Gender

Pluralanimals

Examples

.

"Animal" means a living thing that can move and feel.

.

"Animals" is the plural, meaning more than one animal.

.

Here "animals" means the cows, sheep, and other living things.

An "animal" is a living thing that can move and feel, such as a dog, a bird, or a fish. People are animals too, but we often use the word for other living things.

Related words

bird

An animal with wings and feathers that can usually fly.

fish

An animal that lives in water and swims, with no legs.

horse

A big, strong animal with four legs that people ride or that pulls things.

dog

A common animal with four legs that many people keep as a pet or to help them work.

cat

A small furry animal with a tail and sharp claws that many people keep at home.

bark

To make the short, loud sound that a dog makes.

bat

A small animal with wings that flies at night; also a wooden stick used to hit a ball in some games.

beast

A large wild animal, especially one that seems strong or dangerous.

Where this fits

The 1,000 most common English words

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Used in

Grammar articles

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