# hyena

/haɪˈinə/ (US) · /haɪˈiːnɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the animal

noun · CEFR B2

a wild animal from Africa or Asia that looks like a large dog and often eats the remains of animals killed by others.

For teachers: any of the medium-sized to large feliform carnivores of the family Hyaenidae, noted for their scavenging habits and distinctive vocalizations.

- We heard the strange cry of a hyena while we were camping in the safari park.
- The spotted hyena is a highly social predator, often competing directly with lions for territory and food sources across the African savannah.

Teaching tip: While they look like dogs, hyenas are biologically more closely related to cats and mongooses.

## Examples

- The hyena ran across the African plains at night.
- While often seen as scavengers, hyenas are actually skilled hunters that work together in large groups to take down large prey.
- The documentary explored the complex social hierarchy of the hyena clan, revealing that the females hold a dominant position over the males, a rare trait in the animal kingdom.

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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.