ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fauna

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfɔnə// UK //fˈɔːnɐ// fau·na

n. all the animals that live in a specific area or during a certain time in history. It is often used together with 'flora' to talk about the nature of a place.

n. the collective animal life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period. Frequently paired with 'flora' to describe the biological makeup of an ecosystem.


SIMPLE

The local fauna includes many rare species of birds.

CONTEXTUAL

Scientists are studying how the local fauna has adapted to the rising temperatures in the desert.

COMPLEX

The fossil record provides a detailed window into the prehistoric fauna that roamed these plains before the last glacial maximum altered the landscape forever.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Feminine form of Faunus. Some refer it to Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₂w-, whence Ancient Greek θαῦνον (thaûnon, “beast”), Illyrian-related Daunus. Some refer it to faveō.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the collective group; occasionally used as a countable noun when referring to distinct sets of animals from different regions.

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