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nounadjective

l’animale

animal

Essere vivente che si muove, si nutre e respira, diverso dalle piante.

Definition & meaning

Animale means animal: a living creature that is not a plant, fungus, or microorganism. In everyday speech, it often refers to nonhuman creatures.

Figuratively, it can describe a person as brutal, uncivilized, or driven by instinct. It can also be used admiringly for someone with exceptional energy or ability.

As an adjective, it means animal or relating to animals, as in the animal world or animal behavior.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Noun: masculine, l’animale; plural gli animali. It can refer to an animal of any sex.
  • Adjective: animale is both masculine and feminine singular; the plural is animali for both genders.
  • It comes from Latin animal, related to anima, meaning “breath” or “soul.”

Synonyms & antonyms

  • bestia — “beast”; often emphasizes wildness or, figuratively, brutality.
  • creatura — “creature”; broader and more expressive, and can also refer to a person or fictional being.
  • vegetale — “plant” or “vegetable”; a contrasting category, rather than a strict antonym.

Common phrases & collocations

  • animale domestico — pet or domestic animal.
  • animale selvatico — wild animal.
  • regno animale — animal kingdom.
  • essere un animale — to be an animal; figuratively, to behave brutally or, depending on context, to be exceptionally energetic or talented.

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Examples

L'animale dorme nella fattoria.noun

The animal sleeps on the farm.

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