Ape
/eɪp/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
A large primate without a tail, such as a gorilla, chimpanzee, or orangutan.
/eɪp/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A large primate without a tail.
Gorillas are the largest apes.
💡 Simply: A type of monkey without a tail.
More Examples
2
Chimpanzees are highly intelligent apes.
How It's Used
Zoology
"The zoo housed several different species of ape."
Comparative Biology
"Apes share a common ancestor with humans."
2
To imitate or mimic, often in a clumsy or exaggerated way.
/eɪp/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To imitate or mimic.
The child was aping his older brother.
💡 Simply: To copy someone in a silly way.
More Examples
2
Don't ape others; be yourself!
How It's Used
Informal Conversation
"He was aping the teacher's mannerisms."
Tip:Imagine a clumsy ape trying to copy human actions.
From Old English *apa, from Proto-Germanic *apō, of unknown ultimate origin. Possibly related to Old Norse *api.
The word 'ape' has been used to describe primates for centuries, often with connotations of savagery or mimicry.
Memory tip
Think 'A'll 'P'rimates 'E'volve from a common ancestor.
Practice
Base: ape
appeap
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written