What does macaque mean?
A macaque is a medium-sized monkey in the primate genus Macaca, which includes species such as the rhesus macaque, bonnet macaque, pig-tailed macaque, and Barbary macaque. Macaques live across Africa and Asia and are notable for their intelligence, social organization, adaptability, and, in some species, unusual diets or close relationships with humans. The rhesus macaque has been especially important in scientific research, helping researchers investigate primate behaviour, cognition, infectious disease, and neuroscience. The word can also be used informally to describe an impudent or mischievous person, but that figurative sense may be insulting because it compares the person unfavourably with a monkey. In general reference, the term is a precise biological name rather than a general synonym for all monkeys.
A monkey belonging to the genus Macaca, a group of medium-sized primates native mainly to Africa and Asia.
"A troop of macaques moved through the trees near the research station."
This is the standard zoological sense and is not a general term for every monkey.
Informally, an impudent, mischievous, or badly behaved person.
"Stop being a macaque and listen to your brother."
This sense is informal and can sound insulting; it is more common in British English than in many other varieties.
The regular plural is formed by adding -s; in the zoological sense, the unqualified plural normally refers to members of the genus Macaca collectively.
"Several macaques were feeding beside the river."
Macaques are among the most widely studied primates: much of what scientists know about primate behaviour, cognition, and medicine comes from species such as the rhesus macaque.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does macaque come from?
The English word comes through French from Portuguese macaco, which was borrowed from an earlier South American language, probably a Tupi word. The form entered learned usage in the early 17th century and was established as the scientific name for the genus Macaca. The related taxonomic adjective macaquine is derived from the same genus name and refers to macaques or their characteristics.
Related word forms
How macaque is actually used
The zoological use is standard and neutral. The figurative use is informal and can be derogatory, especially when directed at a person perceived as rude or foolish.
Easily confused with macaque
A marmoset is a small New World monkey, whereas a macaque is generally a medium-sized Old World monkey belonging to the genus Macaca.
A lemur belongs to a distinct group of primates native to Madagascar, unlike macaques, which are found across Africa and Asia.