animal
gb/ˈænəməl/ us/ˈænəməl/
A1
English
~ 700
állat, vadállat
NOUN
A1
1
állat
A1
Usage pattern:
an [adjective] animal
The zoo has over 200 different kinds of animals.
Az állatkertben több mint kétszáz különböző állatfaj él.
Dogs are social animals that enjoy company.
A kutyák társas állatok, szeretik a társaságot.
Many animals can adapt to new environments.
Some animals migrate thousands of miles each year.
Learner examples
A dog is an animal.
A kutya egy állat.
The cow is a big animal.
A tehén nagy állat.
I see an animal in the forest.
The cat is my favorite animal.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes include humans when using 'animal' in everyday English, but in common usage it usually means non-human creatures.
Meaning
Non-human living creature
Collocations
wild animal
|domestic animal
|endangered animal
|farm animal
|animal species
Synonyms
creature (A general term for any living being, often used in a similar way but can also include humans.)
|
beast (Often refers to large or wild animals; can sound more dramatic or negative.)
Antonyms
plant (A living organism that is not an animal; it grows in the ground and uses photosynthesis.)
Themes
nature
|biology
|daily life
|animals
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A living thing that is not a plant or a person.
A living organism that feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system, and able to move voluntarily; not a plant or human.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an animal
He was an animal on the football field, tackling everyone in sight.
Igazi vadállat volt a futballpályán: mindenkit letarolt, aki csak az útjába került.
The criminal acted like an animal during the robbery.
A bűnöző vadállatként viselkedett a rablás során.
They called him an animal after the brutal fight.
Learner examples
He is an animal when he fights.
Amikor verekszik, olyan, mint egy vadállat.
The man was like an animal in the game.
A férfi olyan volt a meccsen, mint egy vadállat.
She called him an animal because he was mean.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this is always positive (as in sports), but it can be negative depending on context.
Meaning
Person acting wildly or brutally
Collocations
act like an animal
|treated like an animal
Synonyms
brute (Emphasizes physical violence or lack of sensitivity.)
|
savage (Implies extreme violence and lack of civilization.)
Antonyms
gentleman (Polite and well-behaved man, opposite of someone rude or violent.)
Themes
emotions
|behavior
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who acts in a very wild or cruel way.
A person who behaves in a cruel, violent, or uncontrolled manner, likened to a non-human creature.
Grammar
Dictionary form
animal
IPA
GB/ˈænəməl/
US/ˈænəməl/
Syllables & stress
an - im - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (an)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: animal
- Plural: animals
Word family
Forms
animals
noun
Advanced or less common
animalistic
adjective
Expressions
animal instinct
1/ˈænəməl ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
fixed phrase
Natural, unlearned behavior or feeling
A natural way of behaving or feeling that people and animals are born with.
Examples
- He acted on pure animal instinct when he ran from the fire.
- Parents often protect their children by animal instinct.
animal rights
1/ˈænəməl ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
Protection and fair treatment of animals
The idea that animals should be treated well and not hurt unnecessarily.
Examples
- She works for an organization that fights for animal rights.
- Animal rights activists protested outside the laboratory.
party animal
1/pˈɑɹti ˈænəməl/
idiom
informal
Person who loves parties often
Someone who likes going to parties very much and often goes to them.
Examples
- My roommate is such a party animal—she’s out every weekend.
- Jake is such a party animal—he's out every night.
- He used to be a real party animal in college.
- In college, she was known as a real party animal.