animal
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1 living creature (n.) A1 Beginner Sciencea living thing that can move and eat, such as a dog, a bird, or a fish.
any multicellular organism of the kingdom Animalia, typically characterized by voluntary movement and the consumption of organic material.
ExampleThe children were excited to see the wild animals at the zoo.
ExampleBiologists have identified thousands of new animal species in the rainforest canopy over the last decade.
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2 cruel or wild person (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informala person who behaves in a cruel, violent, or very messy way.
a person whose behaviour is considered bestial, brutal, or lacking in human self-control.
ExampleHe eats like an animal and never cleans up his plate.
ExampleThe dictator was described as a political animal who would sacrifice anyone to maintain his grip on power.
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3 a specific type of person (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informala person who has a particular quality or interest.
a person characterized by a specific trait or set of interests, usually preceded by a qualifying adjective.
ExampleMy brother is a political animal who loves debating the news.
ExampleShe is a different kind of animal when she gets on the tennis court, showing a competitive streak no one sees at the office.
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4 a thing or matter (n.) C1 Advanced Informala thing or situation, often used when comparing two different things.
a thing, entity, or matter of a particular kind; frequently used in the phrase 'a different animal'.
ExampleWriting a book is one thing, but selling it is a completely different animal.
ExampleThe local branch is manageable, but the international division is an entirely different animal with its own complex set of regulations.
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5 physical or basic (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediaterelating to the body or basic feelings rather than the mind.
relating to physical needs, instincts, or the body rather than the intellect or spirit.
ExampleThe cold weather triggered a basic animal instinct to find shelter.
ExampleThe athlete relied on pure animal strength to push through the final mile of the marathon.
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6 excellent (adj.) C2 Proficiency Slang Dialectvery good or impressive.
an intensifier meaning excellent or high-quality.
ExampleThat goal he scored was absolutely animal.
ExampleThe atmosphere at the concert was animal, with the crowd singing along to every single lyric.
UsageCommonly used in Irish English to describe sports performances or food.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁mos Proto-Italic *anamos Latin animus Latin anima Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin animālis Latin animalder. Old French animalbor. Middle English animal English animal From Middle English animal, from Old French animal, from Latin animal, a nominal use of the adjective form animāle, neuter of animālis, from anima (“breath, spirit”). Displaced native Middle English deor, der (“animal”) (whence modern English deer; from Old English dēor (“animal”)), Middle English reother (“animal, neat”) (whence modern English rother; from Old English hrīþer, hrȳþer (“neat, ox”)).
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁mos Proto-Italic *anamos Latin animus Latin anima Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin animālisbor. Middle English animal English animal From Middle English animal, from Latin animālis, from either anima (“breath, spirit”) or animus. Originally distinct from the noun, it became associated with attributive use of the noun and is now indistinguishable from it.