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anal

adj. · n.
US //ˈeɪnəɫ// UK //ˈeɪnəl// anal
  1. 1 anatomical (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    relating to the anus, which is the opening where solid waste leaves the body.

    pertaining to the anus or the surrounding region. Technical in medical and biological contexts.

    Example

    The doctor performed an anal examination to check for internal bleeding.

    Example

    The patient reported localized discomfort, necessitating a thorough anal inspection to rule out fissures or hemorrhoidal tissue.
  2. 2 obsessive about detail (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang

    used to describe someone who is too worried about small details, rules, or being perfectly clean.

    exhibiting an obsessive or compulsive concern with detail, order, and precision. Derived from the Freudian 'anal-retentive' personality type; informal and often derogatory.

    Example

    He is so anal about his bookshelf that every book must be in alphabetical order.

    Example

    The project manager is incredibly anal about formatting, insisting that every single bullet point across the fifty-page document be perfectly aligned.

    Usage

    Often used as a shortened form of 'anal-retentive'.

    Teacher's tip

    While common in casual speech, this can be seen as rude or overly blunt; 'perfectionist' is a safer alternative in professional settings.
  3. 3 sexual activity (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal Vulgar Slang

    a short way of saying anal sex.

    a truncated form referring to anal intercourse. Uncountable in this sense.

    Example

    The couple discussed whether they wanted to try anal for the first time.

    Example

    The survey collected data on various sexual practices, including the frequency of anal among different age demographics.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin ānālis. By surface analysis, anus + -al. Psychological sense shortened from anal-retentive.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026