# menagerie

/məˈnædʒɝi/ (US) · /mənˈædʒjəɹˌi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/menagerie
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a collection of wild or exotic animals kept together in one place. It is often used to describe a group of people who are very different from each other.

For teachers: a collection of wild or exotic animals kept in captivity, typically for display or study. In a figurative sense, it refers to a diverse or eclectic group of people.

## Examples

- The zoo's menagerie includes rare birds and large cats.
- The company's menagerie of employees ranged from young tech developers to retired professors.
- The royal menagerie at the palace was once a symbol of power, housing creatures that few commoners had ever seen in the wild.

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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.