Giraffe: meaning, definitions and examples

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giraffe

 

[ dʒɪˈræf ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animal species

A giraffe is a tall, long-necked mammal native to Africa, known for its distinctive spotted coat and long legs. Giraffes are the tallest land animals, with adult males reaching heights of up to 18 feet. They primarily inhabit savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands, where they feed on leaves, fruits, and flowers from tall trees.

Examples of usage

  • The giraffe reached high branches to eat.
  • Giraffes are social animals often found in groups.
  • The zoo had a new baby giraffe.
  • Tourists were excited to see the giraffes in the safari.

Translations

Translations of the word "giraffe" in other languages:

🇵🇹 girafa

🇮🇳 जिराफ़

🇩🇪 Giraffe

🇮🇩 jiraf

🇺🇦 жирафа

🇵🇱 żyrafa

🇯🇵 キリン

🇫🇷 girafe

🇪🇸 jirafa

🇹🇷 zürafa

🇰🇷 기린

🇸🇦 زرافة

🇨🇿 žirafa

🇸🇰 žirafa

🇨🇳 长颈鹿

🇸🇮 žirafa

🇮🇸 gíraffa

🇰🇿 жираф

🇬🇪 ჯირაფი

🇦🇿 zəfəran

🇲🇽 jirafa

Etymology

The word 'giraffe' has its origins in the Arabic word 'zarāfa,' which is believed to have derived from a root meaning 'to walk swiftly.' The word was adopted into Italian as 'giraffa' and subsequently entered the English language in the late 16th century. Giraffes have been known to humankind since ancient times, with depictions found in ancient Egyptian art. They were first scientifically classified by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The tall mammals have fascinated humans for centuries due to their unique physical features and gentle behaviors. Giraffes were historically represented as symbols of exoticism and grace in different cultures.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,372, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.