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¹monkey

noun mon·key \ˈməŋ-kē\

: a type of animal that is closely related to apes and humans and that has a long tail and usually lives in trees

: a person (especially a child) who causes trouble in a playful way

plural monkeys

Full Definition of MONKEY

: a nonhuman primate mammal with the exception usually of the lemurs and tarsiers; especially : any of the smaller longer-tailed catarrhine or platyrrhine primates as contrasted with the apes

a : a person resembling a monkey

b : a ludicrous figure : dupe

: any of various machines, implements, or vessels; especially : the falling weight of a pile driver

: a desperate desire for or addiction to drugs —often used in the phrase monkey on one's back; broadly : a persistent or annoying encumbrance or problem

See monkey defined for English-language learners

See monkey defined for kids

Origin of MONKEY

probably of Low German origin; akin to Moneke, name of an ape, probably of Romance origin; akin to Old Spanish mona monkey

First Known Use: circa 1530

Related to MONKEY

Synonyms: dependence (also dependance), habit, jones [slang], addiction

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Rhymes with MONKEY

chunky, clunky, flunky, funky, gunky, hunky, Hunky, junkie, junky, punkie, punky, skunky, spunkie, spunky

²monkey

verb

mon·keyedmon·key·ing

Definition of MONKEY

transitive verb

: mimic, mock

intransitive verb

: to act in a grotesque or mischievous manner

a : fool, trifle —often used with around <he likes to monkey around with engines>

b : tamper —usually used with with <don't monkey with the settings>

See monkey defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of MONKEY

circa 1568

MONKEY Defined for Kids

¹monkey

noun mon·key \ˈməŋ-kē\

plural monkeys

Definition of MONKEY for Kids

: a furry animal of warm regions that has a long tail and that along with the apes is most closely related to humans

²monkey

verb

mon·keyedmon·key·ing

Definition of MONKEY for Kids

: to spend time in an idle or aimless way <We just monkeyed around in the gym.>

: to handle secretly or in a careless or incorrect way <He didn't want anyone monkeying with the cash register … — George Selden, The Cricket in Times Square>

Medical Dictionary

monkey

noun mon·key \ˈməŋ-kē\

Medical Definition of MONKEY

: a nonhuman primate mammal with the exception usually of the lemurs and tarsiers; especially : any of the smaller longer-tailed primates as contrasted with the apes