any of more than 250 species of simian primates belonging to the two distinct lines of New World monkeys and Old World monkeys.
the fur of certain species of such long-haired animals.
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.
Disparaging and Offensive. (used as a slur against a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, especially a Black person.)
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.
Slang. an addiction to narcotics.
any of various mechanical devices, as the ram of a pile driver.
Coal Mining. a small passageway or opening.
BritishSlang. the sum of 500 pounds.
AustralianInformal. a sheep.
verb (used without object),mon·keyed,mon·key·ing.
Informal. to play or trifle idly; fool (often followed by around or with).
verb (used with object),mon·keyed,mon·key·ing.
to imitate; ape; mimic.
to mock.
Idioms for monkey
a monkey on one's back, Slang.
an addiction to a drug or drugs; narcotic dependency.
an enduring and often vexing habit or urge.
a burdensome problem, situation, or responsibility; personal affliction or hindrance.
make a monkey out of, to cause to appear ridiculous; make a fool of.Also make a monkey of.
Origin of monkey
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
Musk has already said the project allowed a monkey to control a computer device with its mind, and as the New York Times reported in 2019, Neuralink has demonstrated a system with 1,500 electrodes connected to a lab rat.
Elon Musk is one step closer to connecting a computer to your brain|Rebecca Heilweil|August 28, 2020|Vox
On the whole, monkeys in the groups that faced one or two stressors clung less to their mothers and more readily explored their new surroundings — showing less anxiety — than both the no-stress and the two high-stress groups.
Puberty can repair the brain’s stress responses after hardship early in life|Esther Landhuis|August 28, 2020|Science News
So the team studied squirrel monkeys that had not yet reached puberty.
A bit of stress may help young people build resilience|Esther Landhuis|August 27, 2020|Science News For Students
Studies in rodents and monkeys had shown that adversity early in life throws the HPA axis off-kilter.
Puberty may reboot the brain and behaviors|Esther Landhuis|August 27, 2020|Science News For Students
Remdesivir, however, was more potent in human lung cells, while GS-441524 was more potent in the monkey cells.
How two coronavirus drugs for cats might help humans fight COVID-19|Erin Garcia de Jesus|August 11, 2020|Science News
This has occurred with bean bag chairs, children's sweaters, and the Coco The Monkey Teething Toy.
9-Year Old With an Uzi? America Is Tougher on Toys Than Guns|Cliff Schecter|August 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The monkey seemed to be sticking his tongue out at me in defiance.
How I (Digitally) Killed My Twitter Impostor|JoBeth McDaniel|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The monkey avatar stared back at me, its tongue lolling out of its mouth.
How I (Digitally) Killed My Twitter Impostor|JoBeth McDaniel|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By the time I discovered I had an impostor, “monkey boy” had been actively tweeting for weeks.
How I (Digitally) Killed My Twitter Impostor|JoBeth McDaniel|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was often called the Monkey Man because of the primates and other wild animals he kept on his 21-acre property.
The Black Widow of Silicon Valley|Michael Daly|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The table was all set and Bridget was just going to ring the bell, but the monkey didn't wait for her.
Harper's Young People, February 8, 1881|Various
And then he gave us a perfect and laughable description of what must be some creature of the monkey tribe.
Adventures in New Guinea|James Chalmers
But, like all other monkeys, he does not quite understand where that monkey conceals itself when he peeps over the glass.
The Speech of Monkeys|R. L. Garner
The moment after, the terrible creature touched the floor as lightly as a monkey, on his hands.
The Law and the Lady|Wilkie Collins
The monkey was so startled at the cry that he fell upon the sharp bamboo and was killed.
Philippine Folk Tales|Mabel Cook Cole
British Dictionary definitions for monkey
monkey
/ (ˈmʌŋkɪ) /
noun
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 Related adjective: simian
any primate except man
a naughty or mischievous person, esp a child
the head of a pile-driver (monkey engine) or of some similar mechanical device
(modifier)nauticaldenoting a small light structure or piece of equipment contrived to suit an immediate purposea monkey foresail; a monkey bridge
US and Canadianslangan addict's dependence on a drug
slanga butt of derision; someone made to look a fool (esp in the phrase make a monkey of)
slang(esp in bookmaking) £500
US and Canadianslang$500
Australianslang, archaica sheep
give a monkey'sBritishslangto care about or regard as importantwho gives a monkey's what he thinks?
have a monkey on one's backslang
to be troubled by a persistent problem
US and Canadianto be addicted to a drug
verb
(intr; usually foll by around, with, etc)to meddle, fool, or tinker
(tr)rareto imitate; ape
Word Origin for monkey
C16: perhaps from Low German; compare Middle Low German Moneke name of the ape's son in the tale of Reynard the Fox