giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe jə-ˈraf How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
plural giraffes
1
or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines
2
capitalized : camelopardalis
giraffish adjective

Illustration of giraffe

Illustration of giraffe
  • giraffe 1

Examples of giraffe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What if Surrealism, beneath the burning giraffes and furry teacups, has always dreamed of waking up? Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024 On a map, the shape of the trail resembles the head and neck of a giraffe. Miles Howard, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2024 The wave was about the equivalent height of two female giraffes. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024 Builders will be impressed with these realistic vignettes — even the giraffe’s legs move anatomically and the gazelle comes with a fawn. Melissa Epifano, EW.com, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for giraffe 

Word History

Etymology

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of giraffe was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near giraffe

Cite this Entry

“Giraffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giraffe. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

giraffe

noun
gi·​raffe ˈjə-ˈraf How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
plural giraffes or giraffe
: a large swift cud-chewing spotted African mammal with a very long neck that is the tallest of living four-footed animals

More from Merriam-Webster on giraffe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!