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

Centered on the life of Robbie Williams, the movie differs from many of the recent biopics as the global pop star is portrayed through motion-capture CG in the form of a monkey.

From Los Angeles Times

Since he became a key player in Real's team, La Liga has referred 21 racist incidents involving the superstar to local prosecutors, as a result of regular abuse from the stands, monkey chants and an effigy hung from a bridge being directed his way.

From BBC

Two years after appearing as a monkey judge, the host plays a character trying very hard to bring Beppo, America’s first chimp to orbit the Earth, back home safely.

From Los Angeles Times

Known as the "infinite monkey theorem", the mathematical thought-experiment has long been used to explain the principles of probability and randomness.

From BBC

However, a new peer-reviewed study led by Sydney-based researchers Stephen Woodcock and Jay Falletta has found that the time it would take for a typing monkey to replicate Shakespeare's plays, sonnets and poems would be longer than the lifespan of our universe.

From BBC