What does giraffe mean?
Giraffe refers to a distinctive African mammal, the tallest living land animal. It is immediately recognizable by its exceptionally long neck and legs, a small head with short horn-like ossicones, and a coat covered with irregular brown patches separated by pale lines. Giraffes browse on leaves, especially acacia, and are commonly associated with savanna landscapes, safari expeditions, zoos, and children's learning materials. In ordinary English, the word is primarily used for the animal and carries no unusual connotation; its striking appearance makes it a familiar subject in descriptions of wildlife and natural history. Although people sometimes use the word playfully for an exceptionally tall person, that informal use is separate from the standard zoological meaning. The name has an international history: it reached English through European languages that borrowed it from an Arabic term, reflecting the animal's long-known presence in Africa and its wide cultural recognition.
nounA tall African mammal with a very long neck, long legs, and a coat patterned with irregular brown patches. The giraffe is the tallest living land animal.
- A large African mammal with a long neck, long legs, and a distinctive brown-and-cream patterned coat.
"A giraffe browsed on the leaves of an acacia tree at the edge of the savanna."
"The giraffe stood above the other animals as the safari vehicle approached."
"The children's book describes a giraffe who learns to reach the highest branches."
The standard plural is giraffes.
"Several giraffes were visible on the plain."
A giraffe's neck can be extraordinarily long, yet it has only seven cervical vertebrae, the same number found in most mammals.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does giraffe come from?
English borrowed the word through French, from the Italian giraffa, which in turn came from the Arabic zarāfah. The name was established in European languages during the early modern period, when reports and depictions of African animals began circulating more widely. Its ultimate pre-Arabic origin is uncertain, but the modern English word is clearly part of a group of related forms found across several European languages.
How giraffe is actually used
Giraffe is a standard, neutral countable noun and is normally pluralized as giraffes. The British and American pronunciations differ chiefly in the quality of the vowel before the final consonant.