monkey
A member of the clade Simiiformes other than those in the clade Hominoidea containing apes, generally (but not universally) distinguished by small size, tails, and cheek pouches.
Noun 4 meanings
A member of the clade Simiiformes other than those in the clade Hominoidea containing apes, generally (but not universally) distinguished by small size, tails, and cheek pouches.
“He had been visiting an area zoo when a monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a hippo hole.”
Any simian, including humans.
Any simian primate other than hominids; any monkey or ape.
“Chimpanzees are known to form bands to hunt and kill other monkeys.”
The weight of a pile driver or drop hammer.
Verb 2 meanings
To meddle; to mess (with).
“Please don't monkey with the controls if you don't know what you're doing.”
To mimic; to ape.
Etymology
Uncertain: * May be derived from monk + -ey (diminutive suffix), * or borrowed from Middle Low German Moneke, the name of the son of Martin the Ape in Reynard the Fox (which may represent an unattested colloquial Middle Low German *moneke, *moneken), itself of uncertain origin: ** Possibly derived from a Romance term represented by Late Middle French monne (whence Modern French mone (“monkey”)) or earlier Old French monnekin (“monkey”), originally Monnekin, the name of a monkey in Li Dis d'Entendement.
Similar and opposite words
MONKEY at a glance
MONKEY has 6 letters and scores 15 points in Scrabble (M 3 + O 1 + N 1 + K 5 + E 1 + Y 4) and 16 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #6,279 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with monkey
All rhymesOne letter away
- DONKEY14
- ZONKEY22
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