# baboon

/bəˈbun/ (US) · /bæbˈuːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/baboon
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the animal

noun · CEFR B1

a large monkey from Africa or Arabia that has a long face like a dog and lives mostly on the ground.

For teachers: a large, ground-dwelling Old World monkey of the genus Papio, noted for its dog-like muzzle, powerful jaws, and social troop behavior.

- We watched a troop of baboons searching for food near the safari road.
- The researchers observed the baboons for several months to understand how the hierarchy within the troop affected access to resources.

### 2. a foolish person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous · Dialect

a rude name for someone you think is stupid, clumsy, or acting like an idiot.

For teachers: a derogatory term for a person perceived as foolish, uncouth, or incompetent.

- Stop acting like a baboon and sit down before you break something.
- He felt like a total baboon after tripping over his own feet during the presentation.

Teaching tip: While often used as a light insult for a clumsy friend, be aware that this term can carry strong offensive or racist connotations in certain historical and social contexts.

## Examples

- The baboon climbed the tall tree to look for fruit.
- During our safari in South Africa, we watched a group of baboons moving across the rocky plains.
- The baboon is a highly intelligent primate, known for its complex social structures and the use of various vocalizations to communicate within its troop.

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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.