# anal

/ˈeɪnəɫ/ (US) · /ˈeɪnəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anal
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. anatomical

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The doctor performed an anal examination to check for internal bleeding.
- The patient reported localized discomfort, necessitating a thorough anal inspection to rule out fissures or hemorrhoidal tissue.

### 2. obsessive about detail

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

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

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

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

Teaching tip: While common in casual speech, this can be seen as rude or overly blunt; 'perfectionist' is a safer alternative in professional settings.

### 3. sexual activity

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Vulgar · Slang

a short way of saying anal sex.

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

- The couple discussed whether they wanted to try anal for the first time.
- The survey collected data on various sexual practices, including the frequency of anal among different age demographics.

## Examples

- He is so anal about keeping his desk clean.
- My roommate is really anal about the kitchen being spotless, so I have to wash my dishes immediately.
- While her attention to detail makes her an excellent editor, she can be quite anal about minor formatting issues that don't actually affect the reader's experience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.