Beast
/biːst/
nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
A large, four-legged animal, especially a wild one.
/biːst/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A large, strong animal, especially a wild one.
The beast roared loudly.
💡 Simply: A big animal.
More Examples
2
The hunter tracked the beast through the jungle.
How It's Used
Zoology
"Lions are magnificent beasts."
Literature
"The mythical beast terrorized the village."
2
A person who is cruel or violent.
/biːst/
nounnegativeIntermediate
General
A cruel or violent person.
That driver is a beast behind the wheel.
💡 Simply: A mean or violent person.
More Examples
2
He's a beast when he's drunk.
How It's Used
Informal
"He's a real beast when he's angry."
Tip:Think of someone acting like a wild animal.
From Old French beste, from Latin bestia "beast, animal," related to Greek kētos "sea monster," ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root.
Historically, 'beast' was used more broadly to refer to any animal, including domestic ones.
Memory tip
Think of a big, scary animal in a forest.
Practice
Base: beast
beestbeazt
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written