giraffe

[juh-raf, -rahf]

noun

1. a tall, long-necked, spotted ruminant, Giraffa camelopardalis, of Africa: the tallest living quadruped animal.

2. Astronomy.,  Giraffe, the constellation Camelopardalis.

giraffe

/ dʒɪˈrɑːf, -ˈræf /

noun

1. a large ruminant mammal, Giraffa camelopardalis, inhabiting savannas of tropical Africa: the tallest mammal, with very long legs and neck and a colouring of regular reddish-brown patches on a beige ground: family Giraffidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of giraffe¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from French girafe, from Italian giraffa, from dialectal Arabic zirāfah; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of giraffe¹

C17: from Italian giraffa, from Arabic zarāfah, probably of African origin

Example Sentences

In recent weeks, hundreds of giraffes, zebras, and antelopes have been removed from the Kedong Ranch, on the shores of tourist hotspot Lake Naivasha.

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This features a life-sized giraffe and a replica of an equestrian statue of Otto von Bismarck, the first chancellor of the German Empire, both constantly change shape in slow motion.

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It has been a challenging time for the San Diego Zoo, where three beloved animals — Kalluk, a polar bear; Nicky, a giraffe; and Maka, a gorilla — died within days of each other.

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It has been a challenging time for the San Diego Zoo, where three beloved animals — a polar bear, giraffe and gorilla — died within days of each other.

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Say hello to the Southern giraffe, one of the newly-recognised species.

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