# tarantula

/təˈɹæntʃəɫə/ (US) · /təɹˈæntjʊlɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tarantula
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a large, hairy spider that lives in warm climates. It is famous for being one of the biggest spiders in the world, but it is usually not dangerous to humans.

For teachers: a large, hairy spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae, typically found in warm regions. While some species are venomous, they are generally not considered dangerous to humans.

## Examples

- The tarantula crawled slowly across the glass tank.
- During our trip to the desert, we saw a giant tarantula hiding under a rock near the campsite.
- The researcher carefully documented the tarantula's nocturnal hunting behavior, noting how its thick, velvety hairs helped it sense vibrations in the sand.

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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.