apish

[ ey-pish ]

adjective

1. having the qualities, appearance, or ways of an ape.
2. slavishly imitative.
3. foolishly affected; silly.

apish

/ ˈeɪpɪʃ /

adjective

1. stupid; foolish
2. resembling an ape
3. slavishly imitative

Derived Forms

• ˈapishly, adverb
• ˈapishness, noun

Other Words From

• apish·ly adverb
• apish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apish¹

First recorded in 1525–35; ape + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

We, these weird, apish creatures capable of pondering their own origins, are the biggest mystery of all, I say.

From Scientific American

Returning to our humble, apish roots is the only way to see anti-science sentiment go the way of the dodo.

From Nature

They are evolutionary throwbacks, “savages” with apish, “atavistic” features.

From Scientific American

In his grossest display of disaffection, he apishly smeared his feces on the embassy walls, according to Ecuador’s interior minister.

From Washington Post

My arms suddenly felt apishly long, knuckles threatening to scrape the pavement.

From Literature