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

“He’s insane. Maybe he always was. But he is now. Did you see him dancing like he was j**cking off two giraffes? Or how about what he said about Arnold Palmer?”

From Salon

The study, which explored body proportions of both wild and captive giraffes, is described in a paper that appeared in the journal Mammalian Biology.

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

Sudanese hunters slogged through daylong pursuits of giraffes when the animals were slowed by rain-softened ground.

From Science Magazine

“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