First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1ape
noun \ˈāp\
: a type of animal (such as a chimpanzee or gorilla) that is closely related to monkeys and humans and that is covered in hair and has no tail or a very short tail
: a large and stupid or rude person
Full Definition of APE
1
See ape defined for English-language learners
See ape defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of APE
Middle English, from Old English apa; akin to Old High German affo ape
2ape
verb
: to copy or imitate (something or someone)
apedap·ing
Full Definition of APE
transitive verb
: to copy closely but often clumsily and ineptly
— ap·er noun
See ape defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of APE
1632
Synonym Discussion of APE
copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean to make something so that it resembles an existing thing. copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible <copied the painting and sold the fake as an original>. imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation <imitate a poet's style>. mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation <pupils mimicking their teacher>. ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original <American fashion designers aped their European colleagues>. mock usually implies imitation with derision <mocking a vain man's pompous manner>.
3ape
adjective
APER Defined for Kids
1ape
noun \ˈāp\
Definition of APE for Kids
: any of a group of tailless animals (as gorillas or chimpanzees) that are primates most closely related to humans
— ape·like \ˈāp-ˌlīk\ adjective
2ape
verb
apedap·ing
Definition of APE for Kids
: to imitate (someone) awkwardly <He apes the styles of his favorite actor.>
Medical Dictionary
ape
noun \ˈāp\
Medical Definition of APE
1
: monkey; especially : one of the larger tailless or short-tailed Old World forms
2
: any of the large tailless semierect primates (as the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, or gibbon) that comprise two primate families (Pongidae and Hylobatidae)—called also anthropoid, anthropoid ape
Learn More About APE
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up ape? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).