ape
gb/ˈeɪp/ us/ˈeɪp/
B1
English
~ 9500
emberszabású majom, majmol, majom, szolgai utánzó, epigon
NOUN
B1
1
Chimpanzees are apes, not monkeys.
A csimpánzok emberszabású majmok, nem farkosmajmok.
The zoo has several species of ape, including gorillas and gibbons.
Az állatkertben több emberszabású majomfaj is él, köztük gorillák és gibbonok.
Scientists study ape behavior to learn more about human evolution.
The documentary showed wild apes using tools to get food.
Learner examples
The gorilla is a very strong ape.
A gorilla nagyon erős emberszabású majom.
We saw a big ape at the zoo.
Láttunk egy nagy emberszabású majmot az állatkertben.
Some apes can use simple tools.
Apes do not have tails, but many monkeys do.
Common mistake:
Learners often use "monkey" and "ape" as if they mean the same thing. In modern scientific English, apes are a special group of primates without tails (such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans), while many monkeys have tails. Another mistake is to think "ape" usually means a person; that use is much less common and can be rude.
Meaning
Large tailless primate
Collocations
great apes
|ape species
|wild apes
|ape behavior
|apes and humans
Synonyms
primate (More technical and includes monkeys as well as apes; often used in scientific or formal contexts.)
Antonyms
human (Used as a contrasting term when distinguishing humans from other primates such as apes.)
Themes
animals
|science
|biology
|nature
Definition
A large animal like a monkey but with no tail, such as a chimpanzee, gorilla, or orangutan.
A large, intelligent, tailless primate, such as a chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, or gibbon, that is closely related to humans.
VERB
C1
2
majmol
B2
Usage pattern:
to ape [someone/something]
Cheap brands often ape the look of luxury products.
Az olcsó márkák gyakran a luxustermékek megjelenését majmolják.
He spent the evening aping his boss's accent to make his friends laugh.
Egész este a főnöke akcentusát majmolta, hogy megnevettesse a barátait.
The movie simply apes older action films without adding anything original.
They tried to ape Western customs without really understanding them.
Learner examples
The boy aped his teacher's voice and the class laughed.
A fiú a tanára hangját majmolta, mire az osztály nevetni kezdett.
Many small companies just ape the big brand's design.
Sok kis cég csak a nagy márka dizájnját majmolja.
She does not want to ape other singers; she wants her own style.
The cartoon apes old horror movies in a funny way.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "ape" as a verb is common in everyday speech, but in modern English it is less frequent and often sounds written or slightly formal/critical. In most neutral situations, "copy" or "imitate" is more natural. Also, "ape" usually suggests the copying is silly, excessive, or without understanding, not just normal imitation.
Meaning
Imitate in a silly exaggerated way
Collocations
ape someone's style
|ape someone's mannerisms
|ape the look of
|ape human behavior
|ape a famous actor
Synonyms
imitate (More general and neutral; it does not necessarily sound silly, exaggerated, or critical.)
Antonyms
innovate (Means to create something new instead of copying someone or something else.)
Themes
communication
|behavior
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To copy how someone talks, moves, or acts, in a big or silly way, often to make fun of them or without really understanding.
To copy the behavior, speech, or style of someone or something, especially in an exaggerated, clumsy, or mocking way and often without real understanding.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
3
majom
A2
Stop acting like a big ape and calm down.
Ne viselkedj már úgy, mint valami nagy majom, és nyugodj le.
Those drunken apes started shouting at everyone in the bar.
Azok a részeg majmok elkezdtek mindenkivel ordibálni a bárban.
Don't be such an ape; watch where you're going.
She called him an ape after he shoved past her on the train.
Learner examples
He is a nice man, but he moves like an ape.
Kedves ember, de úgy mozog, mint egy majom.
The boys were jumping on the seats like apes.
A fiúk úgy ugráltak az üléseken, mint a majmok.
She was angry and shouted, "You ape!" at him.
They behaved like a group of apes at the party.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this word without realizing how rude it sounds. Calling a person an "ape" is insulting and should be avoided in polite conversation. It is safer to describe the behavior directly (for example, "He is very clumsy" or "They behaved badly").
Meaning
Insult for clumsy or stupid person
Collocations
big ape
|you ape
|stupid ape
|act like an ape
|a bunch of apes
Synonyms
brute (Also an insult, but focuses more on being cruel or violent than on being clumsy or stupid.)
Antonyms
gentleman (Suggests a polite, well-mannered man, which contrasts with the rough, rude image of an "ape".)
Themes
insults
|appearance
|social
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A rude word for a person, usually a man, who seems big, rough, or stupid, like a wild animal.
An insulting word for a person, especially a man, who is seen as large, clumsy, stupid, or behaving in a rough or wild way.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
4
epigon
C1
Critics dismissed him as a mere ape of earlier philosophers.
A kritikusok azzal intézték el, hogy ő csupán korábbi filozófusok epigonja.
She refused to be an ape of her mother's choices and followed her own path.
Nem volt hajlandó az anyja döntéseinek szolgai utánzójává válni, hanem a saját útját járta.
The painter was talented, but for years he was just an ape of the old masters.
Learner examples
He is not an artist; he is only an ape of his teacher.
Nem művész; csak a tanára epigonja.
They say the new writer is just an ape of famous authors.
Azt mondják, az új író csak híres szerzők epigonja.
She does not want to be an ape of her friends; she wants her own style.
Meaning
Person who just copies others
Collocations
a mere ape of
|an ape of his father
|cultural apes
|an ape rather than a creator
Synonyms
copycat (More common in modern everyday English and usually informal; often used for children or light criticism.)
Antonyms
original (Describes someone who creates new things instead of simply copying others.)
Themes
behavior
|creativity
|social
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who just copies how another person speaks, acts, or creates things, without new ideas of their own.
A person who copies another person's style, behavior, or ideas, especially in a way that shows little understanding or originality.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ape
IPA
GB/ˈeɪp/
US/ˈeɪp/
Syllables & stress
ape (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (ape)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ape
- Plural: apes
Verb
- Base: ape
- 3rd Person Singular: apes
- Present Participle: aping
- Past: aped
Word family
Forms
apes
noun
aping
verb
aped
verb
Advanced or less common
apish
adjective
Expressions
go ape
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈeɪp/
idiom
informal
Become extremely excited or angry
To suddenly become very excited or very angry in a wild or noisy way.
Examples
- The kids went ape when they heard we were going to the theme park.
- He went ape when he found out someone had scratched his new car.
- Fans will go ape over this new game.