monkey

mon-key · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A small to medium-sized primate, typically having a long tail, found in tropical regions of the world.

  2. 2.

    (informal) A mischievous person, especially a child.

  3. 3.

    (British slang) Five hundred pounds sterling.

Forms

plural: monkeys

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    monkey business — mischievous or dishonest behavior
  • •
    monkey around — to behave in a silly or playful way
  • •
    make a monkey out of someone — to make someone look foolish
  • •
    monkey see, monkey do — copying without understanding
  • •
    brass monkey weather — extremely cold weather (British)

Related words

See also: ape, chimpanzee, gorilla, primate
Synonyms: ape, primate, simian

Etymology

From uncertain origin, possibly from Middle Low German moneke or from a Romanic language. First recorded in the early 16th century, possibly related to the proper name Moneke, a common name for the ape in medieval beast fables.