# giraffe

/dʒɝˈæf/ (US) · /dʒɪɹˈɑːf/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/giraffe
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a very tall African animal with a long neck and legs. It has brown spots on its yellow skin and eats leaves from high trees.

For teachers: a large African ruminant mammal with a very long neck and forelegs, having a coat patterned with brown patches separated by lighter lines.

## Examples

- The giraffe reaches the highest leaves on the tree.
- During the safari, we watched a giraffe gracefully lower its long neck to drink from the waterhole.
- The giraffe's unique physiology, including its powerful heart and specialized valves, allows it to maintain blood pressure while raising and lowering its head over several meters.

## Usage notes

- The plural form is typically 'giraffes', though 'giraffe' is sometimes used in a collective hunting context.

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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.