giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe jə-ˈraf 

plural giraffes

1

or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines

2

capitalized : camelopardalis

giraffish

jə-ˈra-fish 

adjective

Illustration of giraffe

• giraffe 1

Examples of giraffe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With flourishes such as spherical, yellow-light lamps and a giraffe print sourced from artisans around the globe, the space exudes an eclectic warmth, balancing elegance with a touch of the unexpected. —Sam Falb, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025

The calf was born in January at six feet tall to their famous giraffe couple Gigi and Juma. —Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025

But why look at pictures of giraffes, Lemay thought, when the real thing is more indelible? —Andrew Leland, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2025

At another point in the video, a giraffe appears, reaching for a treetop, while there's also footage of a civet enjoying a snack and a porcupine displaying its quills. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing giraffe

• reticulated giraffe

Rhymes for giraffe

• behalf
• carafe
• digraph
• distaff
• falstaff
• subgraph
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph

Kids Definition

giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe ˈjə-ˈraf 

plural giraffes or giraffe

: a large swift cud-chewing spotted African mammal with a very long neck that is the tallest of living four-footed animals