A2noun1K

Monkey

UK /["/ˈmʌŋki/"]/US /["/ˈmʌŋki/"]/

Definition

an animal with a long tail, that climbs trees and lives in hot countries. There are several types of monkey and they are related to apes and humans.

In simple words: A small, intelligent animal that lives in trees and often has a long tail.

Examples

  • Like humans, apes and monkeys live in complex social groupings.
  • The disease affects monkeys and humans in similar ways.
  • A troop of monkeys crashed their way through the trees.
  • Scientists visiting the island encountered a troop of wild monkeys.
  • Come here, you cheeky little monkey!
  • The team have never beaten Germany and they'll be desperate to get that monkey off their backs.
  • I don’t give a monkey’s whether you want to come or not.

Usage notes

Used in both casual and educational contexts. Avoid using in formal writing.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'mon-key' – imagine a key to the jungle where monkeys live.

Collocations

  • capuchin
  • howler
  • rhesus
  • horde
  • troop
  • chatter
  • hang
  • swing

Synonyms

  • primate
  • simian
  • ape

Antonyms

  • human
  • ape

Common mistakes

  • Confusing with 'ape', which lacks a tail.
  • Incorrect pluralization; should be 'monkeys' not 'monkeyses'.