anthropomorphic

adjective

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phic ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fik 

1

: described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes

anthropomorphic deities

stories involving anthropomorphic animals

2

: ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things

anthropomorphic supernaturalism

anthropomorphic beliefs about nature

anthropomorphically

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

As word lovers, we are endlessly fascinated by the uniqueness and complexity of human language. Many species use sounds and gestures to communicate with one another, but the ability to speak in full sentences, to share abstract ideas, and to write and tell stories is distinctly anthropic. Brilliant though dogs may be, they can’t verbalize their hopes and dreams. That is, unless those dogs are anthropomorphic—a trait common in works of fiction. From chatty chiweenies to tangoing tapirs, depictions of anthropomorphic animals abound thanks to our creative superpowers.

Examples of anthropomorphic in a Sentence

a story in which the characters are anthropomorphic animals

Recent Examples on the Web

Ellie the Elephant While the New York Liberty took home the WNBA championship this year, the team’s number one anthropomorphic elephant gained nationwide fame thanks to her outrageous style and dance moves to match. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

The chill guy in question is a cartoon image of an anthropomorphic dog wearing a gray sweater, blue jeans and red shoes. —Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2024

The game follows an anthropomorphic dog through a Europe-like village, accompanied by the sounds of nature and music. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2024

Two years prior, the same thing happened to author A.A. Milne’s whimsical anthropomorphic creations. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" (from anthrōpo- anthropo- + -morphos -morphous) + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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