[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/monkey/)

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# monkey

noun (a monkey, monkeys); verb (monkey around/about — informal)

«monkey» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A clever animal with long arms and legs, hands that grip, and usually a long tail, that lives mostly in trees in hot countries. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#m1)
2. (informal) A cheeky child who plays tricks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#m2)
3. (verb, monkey around) To play about in a silly way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science, monkeys are mammals and primates, like apes and humans; most have tails, which apes (gorillas, chimpanzees) do not. In stories, monkeys are playful and cheeky. In everyday life, «monkey bars» are playground climbing frames; safety: hold on with both hands, one child at a time. Phrases: «monkey bars», «monkey around», «cheeky monkey», «monkey business» (naughty behaviour).

### Examples

- The monkey swung from branch to branch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x1)
- Monkeys use their tails to help them balance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x2)
- We played on the monkey bars at break. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x3)
- Stop monkeying around and finish your work! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x4)
- You cheeky monkey — you hid my shoes! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x5)
- A chimpanzee is an ape, not a monkey. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x6)
- The monkeys at the zoo were eating bananas. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x7)
- No monkey business while I'm out! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x8)
- The monkeys scattered with cries of--“Kaa! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/#x9)

### Note

Plural: monkeys (not «monkies» — the y stays after a vowel). Trap: apes (gorillas, chimps, orangutans, gibbons) are not monkeys — apes have no tails. Wild monkeys can bite; don't feed them.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «monkey» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/monkey/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«monkey» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/monkey.html) on Mova free.