1 a creature that is not a bird, a fish, a reptile, an insect or a human being:
the animals and birds of South America * a small furry animal * Fish oils are less saturated than animal fats. * domestic animals such as dogs and cats
2 any living being that is not a plant or a human:
the animal kingdom * This product has not been tested on animals. * animal rights (= the rights of animals to be treated well by human beings)
3 any living creature, including human beings:
Humans are the only animals to have developed speech.
compareVEGETABLE
4 a person who behaves in a cruel or unpleasant way, or who is very dirty:
The person who did this is an animal, a brute.
5 a particular type of person, thing, organization, etc:
She's not a political animal. * The government which followed the election was a very different animal.
seealsoDUMBANIMALS, HIGHERANIMALS
adjective [onlybeforenoun] relating to the physical needs and basic feelings of people:
animal desires / passion / instincts * animal magnetism (= a quality in sb that other people find attractive, usually in a sexual way)
