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Animals

Mammals, birds, fish, insects, and the words biologists use to describe them.

531 words

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Some words in this topic are A2–C2 — part of Pro. A1 words are always free.

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A1 (18)

dog A1
/dɔɡ/ A common four-legged animal often kept as a pet or for work. Meaning Off Sound Off
horse A1
/hɔɹs/ A large four-legged animal that people ride and use for pulling loads. Meaning Off Sound Off
fish A1
/ˈfɪ̝ʃ/ An animal that lives in water and breathes through gills, usually with scales and fins. Meaning Off Sound Off
cat A1
/kæt/ A small furry animal with whiskers and a tail, often kept as a pet. Meaning Off Sound Off
chicken A1
/ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ A common farm bird kept for its eggs and meat. Meaning Off Sound Off
animal A1
/ˈæn.ᵻ.məl/ A living creature that can move and feel, such as a dog, bird, or fish, but not a plant. Meaning Off Sound Off
bird A1
/ˈbɝd/ An animal with feathers and wings that lays eggs and can usually fly. Meaning Off Sound Off
pig A1
/pɪɡ/ A farm animal with a fat body, short legs, and a flat nose, kept for its meat. Meaning Off Sound Off
egg A1
/ɛɡ/ A rounded object laid by a bird, especially a hen, used as food. Meaning Off Sound Off
cow A1
/kaʊ/ A large female farm animal kept for its milk and meat. Meaning Off Sound Off
snake A1
/ˈsneɪk/ A long, legless reptile with a thin body and a forked tongue. Meaning Off Sound Off
tiger A1
/ˈtaɪɡɚ/ A large, powerful wild cat with orange fur and black stripes, native to Asia. Meaning Off Sound Off
lion A1
/ˈlaɪən/ A large wild cat with a tan coat, the males having a shaggy mane, native to Africa and India. Meaning Off Sound Off
sheep A1
/ʃiːp/ A farm animal with a thick woolly coat, kept for its wool and meat. Meaning Off Sound Off
rabbit A1
/ˈɹæbət/ A small furry animal with long ears and a short tail that lives in burrows. Meaning Off Sound Off
mouse A1
/maʊs/ A small furry animal with a pointed nose, small ears and a long thin tail. Meaning Off Sound Off
butterfly A1
/ˈbʌ.tə(ɹ).flaɪ/ A flying insect with large, often brightly coloured wings. Meaning Off Sound Off
den A1
/dɛn/ a wild animal's lair Meaning Off Sound Off

A2 (19) Pro

whoa A2
/woʊ/ used as a command for a horse or other animal to stop or slow down Meaning Off Sound Off
bear A2
/bɛɚ/ A large, heavy wild animal with thick fur and strong claws. Meaning Off Sound Off
monkey A2
/ˈmʌŋki/ A small to medium-sized animal that usually has a long tail and lives mainly in trees. Meaning Off Sound Off
creature A2
/ˈkɹi.tʃɚ/ A living thing, especially an animal. Meaning Off Sound Off
duck A2
/dʌk/ A common water bird with a flat beak, short legs, and webbed feet. Meaning Off Sound Off
bug A2
/bʌɡ/ A small insect Meaning Off Sound Off
pet A2
/pɛt/ An animal that you keep at home for company and pleasure. Meaning Off Sound Off
shell A2
/ʃel/ The hard outer covering of an animal such as a snail, crab, or turtle. Meaning Off Sound Off
elephant A2
/ˈɛl.ə.fənt/ A very large grey animal with a long trunk and big ears, found in Africa and Asia. Meaning Off Sound Off
web A2
/wɛb/ The thin net of fine threads that a spider makes to catch insects. Meaning Off Sound Off
frog A2
/fɹɑɡ/ A small, smooth-skinned animal with long back legs that lives in or near water and jumps. Meaning Off Sound Off
armor A2
/ˈɑːɹ.mɚ/ tough more-or-less rigid protective covering of an animal or plant Meaning Off Sound Off
feather A2
/ˈfɛð.ɚ/ One of the light, soft structures that cover a bird's body. Meaning Off Sound Off
dinosaur A2
/ˈdaɪnəsoɹ/ A large reptile that lived millions of years ago and is now extinct. Meaning Off Sound Off
insect A2
/ˈɪn.sɛkt/ A small animal with six legs and a hard outer shell, and usually one or two pairs of wings, such as an ant, fly, or beetle. Meaning Off Sound Off
meow A2
/miˈaʊ/ the characteristic crying sound made by a cat Meaning Off Sound Off
flea A2
/fliː/ A tiny jumping insect that bites animals and people and feeds on their blood. Meaning Off Sound Off
chirp A2
/t͡ʃɚp/ A short, high, cheerful sound made by a small bird or insect. Meaning Off Sound Off
frighten off A2
to make someone or something go away by causing fear Phrasal verb Meaning Off Sound Off

B1 (46) Pro

horn B1
/hɔɹn/ A hard pointed growth on the head of some animals, such as cows or goats. Meaning Off Sound Off
beast B1
/ˈbiːst/ An animal, especially a large or dangerous wild one. Meaning Off Sound Off
tail B1
/ˈteːl/ The long, thin part that sticks out at the back of an animal's body. Meaning Off Sound Off
wing B1
/ˈwɪŋɡ/ One of the two body parts a bird, bat, or insect uses to fly. Meaning Off Sound Off
cage B1
/keɪd͡ʒ/ A container made of bars or wire for keeping animals or birds. Meaning Off Sound Off
circus B1
/ˈsɝkəs/ A traveling show with acrobats, clowns, and trained animals, usually held in a large tent. Meaning Off Sound Off
shark B1
/ʃɑːrk/ a mostly marine fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, rough skin, and several rows of teeth Meaning Off Sound Off
bee B1
/ˈbiː/ A flying insect that collects pollen from flowers and, in some species, makes honey. Meaning Off Sound Off
lamb B1
/læm/ A young sheep. Meaning Off Sound Off
spider B1
/ˈspaɪ̯dɚ/ A small eight-legged creature that spins webs to catch insects. Meaning Off Sound Off
turtle B1
/ˈtɝtl̩/ A reptile with a hard protective shell, living on land or in water. Meaning Off Sound Off
puppy B1
/ˈpʌpi/ A young dog. Meaning Off Sound Off
whale B1
/weɪl/ A very large mammal that lives in the sea and breathes air through a hole on top of its head. Meaning Off Sound Off
phoenix B1
/ˈfiːnɪks/ A mythical bird that burns itself to ashes and then rises again, born new from the ashes. Meaning Off Sound Off
salmon B1
/ˈsæmən/ A large fish with pink-orange flesh that swims up rivers to lay eggs; it is a popular food. Meaning Off Sound Off
herd B1
/hɝd/ A large group of animals of one kind, especially cattle or other livestock, that live or move together. Meaning Off Sound Off
crow B1
/kɹoʊ/ A large black bird with a harsh, croaking call. Meaning Off Sound Off
breed B1
/briːd/ A particular type of a domestic animal within a species. Meaning Off Sound Off
tuna B1
/ˈtjuː.nə/ A large sea fish that is often eaten as food. Meaning Off Sound Off
ant B1
[ɛənt] A small insect that lives in large, organized groups underground. Meaning Off Sound Off
mule B1
/mjul/ An animal that is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Meaning Off Sound Off
camel B1
/ˈkæm(ə)l/ A large desert animal with one or two humps on its back, used for carrying people and goods. Meaning Off Sound Off
parrot B1
/ˈpæɹət/ A brightly coloured tropical bird with a hooked beak that can copy human speech. Meaning Off Sound Off
flock B1
/flɑk/ A group of birds or sheep that stay together. Meaning Off Sound Off
See all 46

B2 (58) Pro

martin B2
/ˈmɑɹ.tɪn/ a swallow-like bird with long pointed wings that catches insects while flying Meaning Off Sound Off
wolf B2
/wʊlf/ A large wild animal of the dog family that hunts in groups. Meaning Off Sound Off
species B2
/ˈspiːʃiːz/ A group of living things that are similar and can breed with one another. Meaning Off Sound Off
jay B2
/ˈd͡ʒeɪ/ a noisy, often brightly colored bird of the crow family, typically with a crest Meaning Off Sound Off
fox B2
/fɑks/ A wild animal like a small dog, with reddish-brown fur, pointed ears, and a long bushy tail. Meaning Off Sound Off
bat B2
/bæt/ A small flying animal that comes out at night and feeds on insects or fruit. Meaning Off Sound Off
seal B2
/siːl/ A sea animal with smooth fur and flippers that lives partly in water and partly on land. Meaning Off Sound Off
goat B2
/ɡoʊt/ A farm animal with horns, kept for its milk, meat, and wool. Meaning Off Sound Off
eagle B2
/ˈiːɡəl/ A large, powerful bird of prey with a hooked beak and very sharp eyesight. Meaning Off Sound Off
barn B2
[ˈbɑɹn] A large farm building used to store crops or keep animals. Meaning Off Sound Off
ranch B2
/ˈɹænt͡ʃ/ a large farm or tract of land used primarily for raising cattle, sheep, horses, or other livestock Meaning Off Sound Off
deer B2
/dɪɹ/ A wild animal with long legs and hooves; the males often have antlers. Meaning Off Sound Off
donkey B2
/ˈdɑŋ.ki/ A grey animal with long ears, similar to a small horse, used for carrying loads. Meaning Off Sound Off
ling B2
/ˈlɪŋ/ A long, slender saltwater fish related to cod, often eaten as food. Meaning Off Sound Off
swan B2
/swɑn/ A large water bird with a long neck and usually white feathers. Meaning Off Sound Off
owl B2
/aʊ(ə)l/ A bird of prey that is active mainly at night, with large forward-facing eyes, a flat face, and excellent hearing. Meaning Off Sound Off
dove B2
/dʌv/ A small, usually white or grey bird similar to a pigeon, often used as a symbol of peace. Meaning Off Sound Off
falcon B2
/ˈfælkən/ a fast-flying bird of prey of the genus Falco, with long pointed wings and a hooked beak Meaning Off Sound Off
crocodile B2
/ˈkɹɑkədaɪl/ A large reptile with a long body, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth that lives in and near rivers in hot countries. Meaning Off Sound Off
leopard B2
/ˈlɛp.ɚd/ A large wild cat with a spotted coat, found in Africa and Asia. Meaning Off Sound Off
leash B2
/ˈliːʃ/ A strap, cord, or rope used to hold and control an animal, especially a dog. Meaning Off Sound Off
octopus B2
/ˈɑktəpʊs/ a soft-bodied sea animal with eight sucker-bearing arms Meaning Off Sound Off
paw B2
/pɔ/ The foot of an animal such as a dog, cat, or bear, that has claws. Meaning Off Sound Off
sparrow B2
/ˈspæɹ.oʊ/ A small, common brown and gray bird with a short beak. Meaning Off Sound Off
See all 58

C1 (39) Pro

nest C1
/nɛst/ A structure that a bird or other animal builds to lay eggs and raise its young. Meaning Off Sound Off
goose C1
/ɡus/ A large water bird with webbed feet and a long neck, bigger than a duck. Meaning Off Sound Off
prey C1
/pɹeɪ/ An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal. Meaning Off Sound Off
hawk C1
/ˈhɔk/ a bird of prey with keen eyesight, broad wings, and a hooked bill Meaning Off Sound Off
pigeon C1
/ˈpə.dʒən/ A common grey bird with a plump body and short legs, often seen in towns and cities. Meaning Off Sound Off
predator C1
/ˈpɹɛd.ə.tɚ/ An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food. Meaning Off Sound Off
peacock C1
/ˈpiː.kɑːk/ A large male bird with a long, brightly coloured tail that it can spread out like a fan. Meaning Off Sound Off
parasite C1
/ˈpæɹəˌsaɪt/ An animal or plant that lives on or inside another and feeds off it. Meaning Off Sound Off
antenna C1
/ænˈtɛn.ə/ one of a pair of mobile appendages on the head of e.g. insects and crustaceans Meaning Off Sound Off
hedgehog C1
/ˈhɛd͡ʒ.hɒɡ/ A small spiny mammal that rolls into a ball when threatened and is active at night. Meaning Off Sound Off
aquarium C1
/əˈkwɛɹ.i.jəm/ A glass tank or bowl filled with water for keeping fish and other water animals. Meaning Off Sound Off
snail C1
/sneɪl/ A small slow-moving animal with a soft body and a spiral shell on its back. Meaning Off Sound Off
mink C1
/mɪŋk/ a small, dark-furred semiaquatic carnivorous mammal related to weasels Meaning Off Sound Off
stallion C1
/ˈstæljən/ an adult uncastrated male horse, especially one kept for breeding Meaning Off Sound Off
fetus C1
/ˈfiːtəs/ An unborn or unhatched vertebrate showing signs of the mature animal. Meaning Off Sound Off
hoof C1
/hʊf/ the hard covering at the end of the foot of a horse, deer, sheep, or other ungulate Meaning Off Sound Off
louse C1
/laʊs/ a small, wingless parasitic insect that lives on the skin, hair, or feathers of a person or animal Meaning Off Sound Off
shrew C1
/ʃɹuː/ a small, active, insect-eating mammal with a pointed snout, resembling a mouse Meaning Off Sound Off
manger C1
/ˈmeɪn.dʒɚ/ an open box or trough in a stable from which horses, cattle, or other animals feed Meaning Off Sound Off
mite C1
/maɪt/ any of numerous minute arachnids, many of which live as parasites on animals or plants Meaning Off Sound Off
tigress C1
/ˈtaɪ.ɡrəs/ a female tiger Meaning Off Sound Off
lasso C1
/ˈlæs.oʊ/ a long rope with a sliding loop used especially to catch cattle or horses Meaning Off Sound Off
centaur C1
/ˈsen.tɔːr/ in Greek mythology, a creature with a horse's body and a human head, arms, and torso Meaning Off Sound Off
burro C1
/ˈbɝː.oʊ/ a small donkey, especially one used as a pack animal in the southwestern United States or Mexico Meaning Off Sound Off
See all 39

C2 (228) Pro

shepherd C2
/ˈʃɛpəɹd/ a herder of sheep, often on an open range Meaning Off Sound Off
lizard C2
/ˈlɪz.ɚd/ Any reptile of the order Squamata that is not a snake or part of Mosasauria — typically characterised by a rounded torso, a short neck with an elevated head, four limbs and a long tail, although some species are legless. Meaning Off Sound Off
coop C2
/kuːp/ a small enclosure or shelter for poultry or other small animals Meaning Off Sound Off
weasel C2
/ˈwizəl/ a small slender carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela or a related genus Meaning Off Sound Off
cobra C2
/ˈkoʊbrə/ any of several venomous Asian or African elapid snakes that can spread the ribs of the neck to form a hood, especially a snake of the genus Naja Meaning Off Sound Off
hare C2
/hɛɚ/ swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs Meaning Off Sound Off
tit C2
/tɪt/ a small, active songbird that often feeds on insects and seeds Meaning Off Sound Off
tweet C2
/ˈtwit/ a short, high-pitched chirping sound, especially one made by a small bird Meaning Off Sound Off
skunk C2
/skʌŋk/ a small black-and-white American mammal that can spray a powerful-smelling defensive fluid Meaning Off Sound Off
moth C2
/mɔθ/ Any flying insect of the order Lepidoptera not in the superfamily Papilionoidea, most species of which are nocturnal and can be distinguished from butterflies by feather-like antennae. Meaning Off Sound Off
unicorn C2
/ˈju.nɪ.kɔɹn/ A mythical horse, widely believed to exist until the 17th century, with a single, straight, spiraled horn projecting from its forehead. Meaning Off Sound Off
noose C2
/nuːs/ a trap for birds or small mammals Meaning Off Sound Off
vermin C2
/ˈvɝmɪn/ Small harmful animals or insects, such as rats, mice, or fleas, that are hard to control. Meaning Off Sound Off
raccoon C2
/ræˈkuːn/ a nocturnal North American mammal with a black facial mask, dexterous forepaws, and a ringed tail Meaning Off Sound Off
hutch C2
/hʌtʃ/ a cage or enclosed box in which rabbits or other small animals are kept Meaning Off Sound Off
eel C2
/iːl/ Any freshwater fish of the order Anguilliformes, which are elongated and resemble snakes. Meaning Off Sound Off
fern C2
/fɝn/ Any of a group of some twenty thousand species of vascular plants classified in the division Pteridophyta that lack seeds and reproduce by shedding spores to initiate an alternation of generations. Meaning Off Sound Off
roach C2
/roʊtʃ/ a silvery-green European freshwater fish, or any of several related fishes Meaning Off Sound Off
carmine C2
/ˈkɑɹmaɪn/ a vivid purplish-red pigment or dye traditionally made from cochineal insects Meaning Off Sound Off
runt C2
/rʌnt/ the smallest or weakest animal in a litter Meaning Off Sound Off
mackerel C2
/ˈmækərəl/ a streamlined sea fish with dark wavy markings, commonly caught for food Meaning Off Sound Off
ostrich C2
/ˈɔs.tɹɪt͡ʃ/ fast-running African flightless bird with two-toed feet Meaning Off Sound Off
ferret C2
/ˈfɛɹɪt/ domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits Meaning Off Sound Off
mammal C2
/ˈmæməl/ any warm-blooded vertebrate having the skin more or less covered with hair Meaning Off Sound Off
See all 228

C2+ (123) Pro

buffalo C2+
/ˈbʌf.ə.loʊ/ any of several Old World animals resembling oxen including, e.g., water buffalo Meaning Off Sound Off
jackal C2+
/ˈd͡ʒækəl/ an Old World nocturnal canine mammal closely related to the dog Meaning Off Sound Off
walrus C2+
/ˈwɑl.ɹəs/ A large Arctic marine mammal related to seals and having long tusks, tough, wrinkled skin, and four flippers, Odobenus rosmarus. Meaning Off Sound Off
man-eater C2+
/ˈmænˌiːtɚ/ an animal that has killed and eaten humans, especially a tiger, lion, crocodile, or shark Meaning Off Sound Off
devilfish C2+
/ˈdɛvəlˌfɪʃ/ any of several large or striking marine animals, especially an octopus or manta ray Meaning Off Sound Off
madrina C2+
/mɑːˈdriːnə/ in South American pack travel, a steady mare or other animal wearing a bell and leading a troop of mules Meaning Off Sound Off
toxodon C2+
/ˈtɑksəˌdɑn/ a large extinct herbivorous South American mammal of the genus Toxodon, a member of the hoofed-mammal order Notoungulata Meaning Off Sound Off
declivity C2+
/dɪˈklɪvɪti/ An inward curve of the exoskeleton of an insect, such as between body segments; a segment of an insect's body where the exoskeleton curves inward. Meaning Off Sound Off
babirusa C2+
/ˌbɑːbiˈruːsə/ a wild pig of the Indonesian genus Babyrousa, whose adult males have long upper canine teeth that curve upward through the snout Meaning Off Sound Off
arachnologist C2+
/əˌrækˈnɑːlədʒɪst/ a scientist who specializes in the study of spiders and other arachnids Meaning Off Sound Off
posthouse C2+
/ˈpoʊsthaʊs/ historical: an inn or relay station where post horses were exchanged and riders or travelers could lodge Meaning Off Sound Off
hindfoot C2+
/ˈhaɪndˌfʊt/ a rear foot of a four-legged animal, especially when contrasted with a forefoot Meaning Off Sound Off
fang C2+
/fæŋ/ a long sharp tooth, as of a snake or dog Meaning Off Sound Off
bitch C2+
/bɪtʃ/ a female dog; (vulgar) a spiteful person or to complain Meaning Off Sound Off
carrion C2+
/ˈkæriən/ the decaying flesh of dead animals Meaning Off Sound Off
chum C2+
/tʃʌm/ a close friend; (verb) to bait water with fish remains to attract fish Meaning Off Sound Off
doghouse C2+
/ˈdɔɡˌhaʊs/ a small shelter for a dog; figuratively, a state of disfavor Meaning Off Sound Off
genus C2+
/ˈdʒinəs/ a taxonomic rank grouping related species above the species level Meaning Off Sound Off
badger C2+
/ˈbædʒɚ/ a burrowing nocturnal mammal; to pester or harass persistently Meaning Off Sound Off
hog C2+
/hɑɡ/ a domesticated pig; also, to take or use selfishly Meaning Off Sound Off
hound C2+
/haʊnd/ a hunting dog; also, to pursue or harass relentlessly Meaning Off Sound Off
pest C2+
/pɛst/ a destructive insect or animal, or an annoying person Meaning Off Sound Off
sire C2+
/ˈsaɪɚ/ a male parent of an animal, or a respectful address to a king Meaning Off Sound Off
snare C2+
/snɛr/ a trap for catching animals, or anything that entangles Meaning Off Sound Off
See all 123

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