okapi

noun

oka·​pi ō-ˈkä-pē 

: an African ungulate mammal (Okapia johnstoni) that is closely related to the giraffe but has a relatively short neck, a coat typically of solid reddish chestnut on the trunk, yellowish white on the cheeks, and purplish-black and cream rings on the upper parts of the legs

Illustration of okapi

Examples of okapi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the East African nation of Uganda is home to a wealth of iconic creatures spanning from the forest elephant to the sitatunga to the okapi, few native animals can match the intrigue of the eastern chimpanzee. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Here are seven other things currently known about the okapi. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

The okapi’s scientific name, okapia johnstoni, is named after Johnston, though indigenous people had already known of the okapi’s existence long before. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

The calf is from a species called okapi, the only living relative of the giraffe, the zoo said in a news release. —Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Mvuba (language spoken west of Lake Edward, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for okapi

• atopy
• choppy
• copy
• floppy
• poppy
• sloppy
• photocopy

Kids Definition

okapi

noun

oka·​pi ō-ˈkäp-ē 

: an African mammal closely related to the giraffe but lacking the long neck