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

This technique lends an ethereal quality to her portraits of African women as well as her photos of giraffes crossing grassy plains in Kenya. —Issy Ronald, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025

Since the location's opening, the safari park has added the ability for guests to view giraffes, rhinos, red pandas, tigers and lions from their housing. —Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 31 Dec. 2024

The cheerful giraffe is one of several animal planters to choose from, with other options including an adorable dachshund, spiky hedgehog and sly fox. —Catherine Garcia, theweek, 3 Dec. 2024

There are around 5,900 left, including only about 690 West African giraffes remain. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024

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

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