monkey

[ muhng-kee ]

noun

, plural mon·keys.

1. any of more than 250 species of simian primates belonging to the two distinct lines of New World monkeys and Old World monkeys.
2. the fur of certain species of such long-haired animals.
3. a person whose behavior is likened to such an animal, as a mischievous, agile child or a mimic:

   My nephew is the most adorable little monkey—he'll try to climb anything he can reach.

4. Disparaging and Offensive. (used as a slur against a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, especially a Black person.)
5. a dance, deriving from the twist, in which the partners move their hands as if climbing a pole and jerk their heads back and forth.
6. Slang. an addiction to narcotics.
7. any of various mechanical devices, as the ram of a pile driver.
8. Coal Mining. a small passageway or opening.
9. British Slang. the sum of 500 pounds.
10. Australian Informal. a sheep.

verb (used without object)

, mon·keyed, mon·key·ing.

1. Informal. to play or trifle idly; fool (often followed by around or with ).

verb (used with object)

, mon·keyed, mon·key·ing.

1. to imitate; ape; mimic.
2. to mock.

monkey

/ ˈmʌŋkɪ /

noun

1. any of numerous long-tailed primates excluding the prosimians (lemurs, tarsiers, etc): comprise the families Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys), Cebidae (New World monkeys), and Callithricidae (marmosets) See Old World monkey New World monkey simian
2. any primate except man
3. a naughty or mischievous person, esp a child
4. the head of a pile-driver ( monkey engine ) or of some similar mechanical device
5. modifier nautical denoting a small light structure or piece of equipment contrived to suit an immediate purpose

   a monkey foresail

   a monkey bridge

6. slang.
   an addict's dependence on a drug
7. slang.
   a butt of derision; someone made to look a fool (esp in the phrase make a monkey of )
8. slang.
   (esp in bookmaking) £500
9. slang.
   $500
10. slang.
    a sheep
11. give a monkey's slang.
    to care about or regard as important

    who gives a monkey's what he thinks?

12. have a monkey on one's back slang.
    1. to be troubled by a persistent problem
    2. to be addicted to a drug

verb

1. intr; usually foll by around, with, etc to meddle, fool, or tinker
2. rare.
   tr to imitate; ape

Sensitive Note

See simianization.

Other Words From

• mon·key·ish adjective
• mon·key·ish·ly adverb
• mon·key·ish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monkey¹

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain; possibly from Low German; compare Middle Low German Moneke (name of son of Martin the Ape in the story of Reynard the Fox ), equivalent to mone- (akin to obsolete French monne “she-ape,” Spanish, Portuguese mono “ape”) + -ke diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of monkey¹

C16: perhaps from Low German; compare Middle Low German Moneke name of the ape's son in the tale of Reynard the Fox

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. a monkey on one's back, Slang.
   1. an addiction to a drug or drugs; narcotic dependency.
   2. an enduring and often vexing habit or urge.
   3. a burdensome problem, situation, or responsibility; personal affliction or hindrance.
2. make a monkey out of, to cause to appear ridiculous; make a fool of. Also make a monkey of.

More idioms and phrases containing monkey

• fool (monkey) around
• make a fool (monkey) of
• more fun than a barrel of monkeys
• throw a monkey wrench

Example Sentences

The researchers found that adult chimpanzees were more likely to engage in social play before participating in group activities, such as monkey hunting or territorial defense against hostile outsiders.

From Science Daily

One reason the flying monkeys tactic works is that it isolates the target.

From Salon

Because there are flying monkeys in “Wicked,” and no one is too happy about it, least of all the monkeys.

From Los Angeles Times

As players led a brawny ape and a cartwheeling monkey through jungles, ancient ruins and snowscapes, they were treated to a musical smorgasbord of atmospheric tunes.

From New York Times

On my screen I can see that behind her, on a shelf, is her toy monkey, Mr H.

From BBC

What Is The Plural Of Monkey?

Plural word for monkey

The plural form of monkey is monkeys (not monkies). Words that end with a –y preceded by a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) are made plural by adding an -s at the end, as in chimney/chimneys and ray/rays. 

This can be confusing, because the plural form of words that end with a –y and are preceded by a consonant is made by changing the ending to -ies, as in party/parties, candy/candies, and duty/duties.