beast

noun \ˈbēst\

: an animal; especially : a wild animal that is large, dangerous, or unusual

: an unkind or cruel person

: a person or thing of a particular kind

Full Definition of BEAST

a : a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and an invertebrate

b : a lower animal as distinguished from a human being

c : an animal as distinguished from a plant

d : an animal under human control

: a contemptible person

: something formidably difficult to control or deal with

See beast defined for English-language learners

See beast defined for kids

Middle English beste, from Anglo-French, from Latin bestia

First Known Use: 13th century

Synonyms: baddie (or baddy), villain, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag (or scallywag), scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, wretch

BEAST Defined for Kids

noun \ˈbēst\

: a mammal with four feet (as a bear or deer) especially as distinguished from human beings <beasts of the forest>

: a wild animal that is large, dangerous, or unusual

: a farm animal especially when kept for work <beasts of burden>

: a horrid person

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