Animals — English Vocabulary
30 essential words about animals in the live bank, with meanings and examples. Open any word for its full page.
lion /ˈlaɪən/ noun A1
A large wild cat with golden fur; the male has long thick hair around its head and neck.
Example: The lion is called the king of animals.
tiger /ˈtaɪɡər/ noun A1
A large wild cat with orange fur and black stripes.
Example: The tiger hunted at night.
elephant /ˈelɪfənt/ noun A1
The largest land animal, grey, with big ears, a long nose called a trunk, and two long teeth called tusks.
Example: Elephants never forget, people say.
monkey /ˈmʌŋki/ noun A1
A small-to-medium animal with a long tail that climbs trees and is clever with its hands.
Example: The monkey ate a banana.
snake /sneɪk/ noun A1
A long, thin animal with no legs that moves by sliding on its belly; some are dangerous.
Example: A snake hid under the rock.
frog /frɒɡ/ noun A1
A small animal with smooth skin and long back legs for jumping, that lives in water and on land and makes a croaking sound.
Example: The frog jumped into the pond.
spider /ˈspaɪdər/ noun A1
A small animal with eight legs that catches insects in a web it makes from silk threads.
Example: A spider built a web in the corner.
butterfly /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/ noun A1
An insect with large, colorful wings that flies in gardens in warm weather.
Example: A butterfly landed on the flower.
bee /biː/ noun A1
A yellow-and-black flying insect that makes honey and can sting.
Example: Bees fly from flower to flower.
wolf /wʊlf/ noun A1
A wild animal like a large dog that lives and hunts in groups in forests and cold lands.
Example: Wolves howl at night.
hen /hen/ noun A1
A female chicken, kept for eggs and meat.
Example: The hen laid an egg this morning.
goat /ɡəʊt/ noun A1
A farm animal with horns and a small beard that eats almost anything and climbs very well.
Example: The goat ate the farmer's hat.
donkey /ˈdɒŋki/ noun A1
An animal like a small horse with long ears, used for carrying loads in many countries.
Example: The donkey carried bags up the hill.
turkey /ˈtɜːrki/ noun A1
A large farm bird raised for meat, famous as the center of the American Thanksgiving dinner.
Example: We had turkey for Thanksgiving.
fox /fɒks/ noun A1
A wild animal like a small dog with orange fur, pointed ears, and a thick tail, known for being clever.
Example: A fox ran across the field.
goose /ɡuːs/ noun A1
A large water bird with a long neck, larger than a duck, that makes a loud honking sound.
Example: Geese flew south for winter.
lamb /læm/ noun A1
A young sheep; also its soft meat.
Example: The lamb followed its mother.
kitten /ˈkɪtən/ noun A1
A baby cat; a young cat in its first months.
Example: The kitten played with a ball of string.
puppy /ˈpʌpi/ noun A1
A baby dog; a young dog in its first year.
Example: The puppy chewed my shoe.
sheep /ʃiːp/ noun A1
A farm animal with thick wool, kept for its wool and meat; the word is the same for one and many.
Example: The sheep ate grass on the hill.
cat /kæt/ noun A1
A small animal with soft fur that people keep as a pet; it catches mice.
Example: Our cat sleeps on the sofa all day.
bird /bɜːrd/ noun A1
An animal with wings and feathers that can usually fly.
Example: Birds sing in the morning.
fish /fɪʃ/ noun A1
An animal that lives in water and swims; also its meat as food.
Example: Colorful fish swim in the lake.
horse /hɔːrs/ noun A1
A large, strong animal that people ride and use for work or racing.
Example: She rides her horse every weekend.
cow /kaʊ/ noun A1
A large female farm animal kept for milk and meat.
Example: Cows eat grass in the field.
pig /pɪɡ/ noun A1
A farm animal with a flat nose, kept for its meat (pork, bacon, ham).
Example: Pigs love playing in the mud.
duck /dʌk/ noun A1
A bird that swims, with a flat beak, often found on lakes and ponds.
Example: Ducks swim on the pond.
rabbit /ˈræbɪt/ noun A1
A small animal with long ears and soft fur; it hops and eats vegetables.
Example: The rabbit eats a carrot.
mouse /maʊs/ noun A1
A very small animal with a long tail; also the small device you move to control a computer screen.
Example: A mouse ran under the door.
bear /beər/ noun A1
A large, heavy wild animal with thick fur, found in forests and mountains.
Example: A brown bear caught fish in the river.