ape
gb/ˈeɪp/ us/ˈeɪp/
B1
English
~ 9500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Large tailless primate
A large animal like a monkey but with no tail, such as a chimpanzee, gorilla, or orangutan.
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.
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.)
Collocations
great apes
|ape species
|wild apes
|ape behavior
|apes and humans
Themes
animals
|science
|biology
|nature
Examples
- Chimpanzees are apes, not monkeys.
- The zoo has several species of ape, including gorillas and gibbons.
- 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.
- We saw a big ape at the zoo.
- Some apes can use simple tools.
- Apes do not have tails, but many monkeys do.
Verb
C1
action
2
Imitate in a silly exaggerated way
To copy how someone talks, moves, or acts, in a big or silly way, often to make fun of them or without really understanding.
Usage pattern:
to ape [someone/something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
ape someone's style
|ape someone's mannerisms
|ape the look of
|ape human behavior
|ape a famous actor
Themes
communication
|behavior
|social
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Cheap brands often ape the look of luxury products.
- He spent the evening aping his boss's accent to make his friends laugh.
- 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.
- Many small companies just ape the big brand's design.
- She does not want to ape other singers; she wants her own style.
- The cartoon apes old horror movies in a funny way.
Noun
informal
C1
entity
3
Insult for clumsy or stupid person
A rude word for a person, usually a man, who seems big, rough, or stupid, like a wild animal.
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").
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".)
Collocations
big ape
|you ape
|stupid ape
|act like an ape
|a bunch of apes
Themes
insults
|appearance
|social
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Stop acting like a big ape and calm down.
- Those drunken apes started shouting at everyone in the bar.
- 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.
- The boys were jumping on the seats like apes.
- She was angry and shouted, "You ape!" at him.
- They behaved like a group of apes at the party.
Noun
literary
C2
entity
4
Person who just copies others
A person who just copies how another person speaks, acts, or creates things, without new ideas of their own.
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.)
Collocations
a mere ape of
|an ape of his father
|cultural apes
|an ape rather than a creator
Themes
behavior
|creativity
|social
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Critics dismissed him as a mere ape of earlier philosophers.
- She refused to be an ape of her mother's choices and followed her own path.
- 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.
- They say the new writer is just an ape of famous authors.
- She does not want to be an ape of her friends; she wants her own style.
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.