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DictionarygiraffeLong-necked African mammal
noun

giraffe

juh-RAF/dʒəˈræf/

A very tall African mammal with a long neck and spotted coat.

The giraffe stands on long legs beneath its exceptionally long neck and spotted coat.

One adult giraffe shown fully in three-quarter side view, its exceptionally long neck, long legs, patterned coat, and small hornlike ossicones clearly visible.
Etymology
giraffeArabicgiraffe

Arabic zarafa already named the long-necked animal, so the English meaning continues that animal name. The Arabic term probably came from an African language.

In context

WIRED4:54
giraffe have exactly the same number of neck bones that we do. They've just become very long.
Veterinarian Answers Wild Animal Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

More examples

  • The giraffe's spotted coat helps it blend into the landscape.
  • Several giraffes walk across the African grassland.
  • A giraffe spreads its front legs to drink from the pond.

Forms

giraffe · giraffes