Definition of Monkey
Quick Meaning of Monkey
A small animal like an ape that lives in trees and eats fruit.
Detailed Definition of Monkey
Small or medium primate with a tail, found mainly in tropical regions.
How to Pronounce Monkey
Stress pattern: Oo (2-syllable word).
Tip: Stress on first syllable: MUN-kee. The 'ey' at end sounds like 'ee' in 'tree'.
Origin and Etymology of Monkey
Origin uncertain, possibly from Middle Dutch 'mone' or Arabic 'maimun'.
How to Use Monkey in a Sentence
Each example shows “monkey” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“The monkey jumped from branch to branch in the tree.”
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“We saw several monkeys at the zoo yesterday.”
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“Research on monkey behavior helps us understand primate intelligence.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Monkey
Common Synonyms for Monkey
Smart Synonyms for Monkey — When to Use Each
- primate
- scientific term for entire primate order
- ape
- larger primates without tails like gorillas
- baboon
- larger primates living on ground
Common Collocations with Monkey
These phrases pair with “monkey” in everyday English:
- howler monkey
- spider monkey
- monkey bars
Common Mistakes When Using Monkey
Even fluent speakers slip up with “monkey”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: I saw many monkies at the wildlife park.
- ✓ Correct: I saw many monkeys at the wildlife park.
- Why: Words ending in consonant + 'y' change to 'ies', but 'monkey' has vowel 'o' before 'y'.
- ✗ Wrong: The monkey is very intelligent and they plays with toys.
- ✓ Correct: The monkey is very intelligent and it plays with toys.
- Why: Singular 'monkey' takes 'it', not 'they'; verb agrees with singular subject.
Other Forms of Monkey
- Noun: monkey
Frequently Asked Questions About Monkey
What is the meaning of "Monkey"?
A small animal like an ape that lives in trees and eats fruit.
How do you pronounce "Monkey"?
The IPA is /ˈmʌŋki/. Stress on first syllable: MUN-kee. The 'ey' at end sounds like 'ee' in 'tree'.
What part of speech is "Monkey"?
"Monkey" is a noun at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Monkey"?
Common synonyms include primate, ape, chimp.
How do you use "Monkey" in a sentence?
For example: "The monkey jumped from branch to branch in the tree."