giraffe

[ juh-rafor, especially British, -rahf ]

noun

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

"Thanks to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we also have the full pedigree, or family tree, of all Masai giraffes in North America in zoos and wildlife parks, as well as their birthdates and transfer history. So, by carefully considering this information, when the photo was taken and the approximate age of the animal, we could identify the specific individual in nearly every photo of a captive giraffe. This information was critical to understanding when male and female giraffes start to exhibit size differences and whether they grow differently."

From Science Daily

In contrast, Osaka has never been the most comfortable on the surface and described herself last month as still being a "baby giraffe" on it.

From BBC

From the small ossicones on a giraffe to the gigantic antlers of a male moose -- which can grow as wide as a car -- the headgear of ruminant hooved mammals is extremely diverse, and new research suggests that despite the physical differences, fundamental aspects of these bony adaptations likely evolved from a common ancestor.

From Science Daily

“Your dad turned himself into a giraffe, an alligator. He turned himself into the wind! And you’re bragging about being a rat? C’mon, dude.”

From Literature

In my room — because it is now my room — there is a table lamp with a giraffe for a base.

From Los Angeles Times