1
: of, relating to, situated near, or involving the anus
an anal fin
2
psychoanalytic theory
a
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being the stage of psychosexual development which follows the oral stage (see oral entry 1 sense 3) and during which the child is concerned especially with his or her feces
b
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being personality traits (such as parsimony, meticulousness, and ill humor) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
an anal disposition
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or preciseI have a mania for neatness in some matters that is almost anal.—
Joseph Heller
Joseph HellerExamples of anal in a Sentence
Adjective
He can be pretty anal about keeping his office neat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Chatel, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025
These include cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and throat and anal cancer in both women and men.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 24 Feb. 2025
Was your dog also scooting initially as that is the most common sign associated with anal glands being impacted or inflamed?
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
Spines hold the dorsal fin up from the fish’s back, starting with longer spines and going to shorter spines toward the tail, with three spines on its anal fin, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anal
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Adjective
Anyone who enjoys anal stimulation or is interested in experimenting with anal play
1.
—Amanda Chatel, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025
These include cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and throat and anal cancer in both women and men.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 24 Feb. 2025
Was your dog also scooting initially as that is the most common sign associated with anal glands being impacted or inflamed?
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
Spines hold the dorsal fin up from the fish’s back, starting with longer spines and going to shorter spines toward the tail, with three spines on its anal fin, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anal
Cite this Entry
“Anal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anal. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
anal
1 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or situated near the anus
the anal opening
anal fissures
2
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the oral stage and during which a child derives libidinal gratification from the expulsion and retention of the feces and conflict arises from parental demands regarding toilet training
During the anal stage, from about 18 months to 3 years, the sphincter muscles become sensitive and controllable and bowel and bladder retention and elimination become a source of gratification.—David G. Myers, Psychology
David G. Myers, Psychology
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits (as orderliness, frugality, and obstinacy) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or precise
compare genital sense 3, oral sense 3, phallic sense 2
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