Word
fauna
Phoneticsfau·na, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɔnə/
UK/fˈɔːnɐ/
Definitions
01animals of a region
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Academic · Technical
n. all the animals that live in a particular place or time.
n. the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period, treated as a collective group.
日本語:動物相※
“The local fauna includes several rare species of birds and small mammals.”
“Conservationists are concerned that the introduction of invasive species will permanently disrupt the native fauna of the island chain.”
Usage
Often paired with 'flora' to describe all living things in an area.
Teaching tip
Learners should remember that 'fauna' refers to animals, while 'flora' refers to plants; they are almost always used together in scientific or nature writing.
Antonyms
02a book about animals
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Formal · Technical
n. a book or list that describes all the animals found in a specific area.
n. a descriptive catalogue or treatise of the animals of a given region or period.
“He consulted a 19th-century fauna of the British Isles to identify the beetle.”
“The library holds an extensive collection of regional faunas, providing a historical record of biodiversity across the continent.”
Usage
In this sense, the word is countable.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialized use found in academic or historical contexts.
Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/fauna
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0