# animal

/ˈænəməɫ/ (US) · /ˈænɪməl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/animal
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. living creature

noun · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: any multicellular organism of the kingdom Animalia, typically characterized by voluntary movement and the consumption of organic material.

- The children were excited to see the wild animals at the zoo.
- Biologists have identified thousands of new animal species in the rainforest canopy over the last decade.

### 2. cruel or wild person

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person who behaves in a cruel, violent, or very messy way.

For teachers: a person whose behaviour is considered bestial, brutal, or lacking in human self-control.

- He eats like an animal and never cleans up his plate.
- The dictator was described as a political animal who would sacrifice anyone to maintain his grip on power.

### 3. a specific type of person

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person who has a particular quality or interest.

For teachers: a person characterized by a specific trait or set of interests, usually preceded by a qualifying adjective.

- My brother is a political animal who loves debating the news.
- She is a different kind of animal when she gets on the tennis court, showing a competitive streak no one sees at the office.

### 4. a thing or matter

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a thing or situation, often used when comparing two different things.

For teachers: a thing, entity, or matter of a particular kind; frequently used in the phrase 'a different animal'.

- Writing a book is one thing, but selling it is a completely different animal.
- The local branch is manageable, but the international division is an entirely different animal with its own complex set of regulations.

### 5. physical or basic

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to the body or basic feelings rather than the mind.

For teachers: relating to physical needs, instincts, or the body rather than the intellect or spirit.

- The cold weather triggered a basic animal instinct to find shelter.
- The athlete relied on pure animal strength to push through the final mile of the marathon.

### 6. excellent

adjective · CEFR C2 · Slang · Dialect

very good or impressive.

For teachers: an intensifier meaning excellent or high-quality.

- That goal he scored was absolutely animal.
- The atmosphere at the concert was animal, with the crowd singing along to every single lyric.

Usage: Commonly used in Irish English to describe sports performances or food.

## Examples

- The dog is a very friendly animal.
- While hiking through the national park, we saw several types of wild animals in their natural habitat.
- Biologists classify a vast range of organisms under this category, from microscopic sponges to the blue whale, the largest animal known to have existed on Earth.

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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.