English Reference

Word

chimpanzee

Phoneticschim·panzee

US/tʃɪmˈpænzi/

UK/tʃˌɪmpɐnzˈiː/

Definition

n. a smart, black-haired ape from Africa that lives in groups and is very similar to humans.

n. a species of great ape within the genus Pan, recognized as the closest extant relative to humans along with the bonobo.

Examples

“The chimpanzee used a stick to fish for termites.”

“Researchers observed a chimpanzee using tools to open nuts, showing a level of intelligence previously thought to be unique to humans.”

“The study of chimpanzee social dynamics has provided profound insights into the evolutionary roots of human cooperation and conflict resolution within complex group structures.”

Examples

simple

“The chimpanzee used a stick to fish for termites.”

contextual

“Researchers observed a chimpanzee using tools to open nuts, showing a level of intelligence previously thought to be unique to humans.”

complex

“The study of chimpanzee social dynamics has provided profound insights into the evolutionary roots of human cooperation and conflict resolution within complex group structures.”

Usage

Often shortened to 'chimp' in informal contexts.

Etymology

The first recorded use of the name chimpanzee dates to 1738. The name is derived from an unspecified Bantu language of Angola (compare Vili ci-mpenzi), probably brought to the English language via French chimpanzé.

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

Synonyms

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference