animalish
|an-i-mal-ish|
/ˈænɪməlɪʃ/
having animal-like qualities
Etymology
'animalish' originates from English, specifically the word 'animal' plus the suffix '-ish,' where '-ish' meant 'having the qualities of; somewhat'.
'animalish' changed from combining the Middle English suffix '-ish' (from Old English '-isc') with 'animal' and eventually became the modern English word 'animalish'.
Initially, it meant 'of or like an animal,' but over time it evolved into its current meanings including 'crude' or 'instinct-driven'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
resembling an animal in look, movement, or general quality; animal-like.
Her sprint had an animalish power that left the others behind.
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Adjective 2
crude or lacking refinement; brutish or uncivilized in manner.
The debate turned animalish as the crowd began to boo and jeer.
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Adjective 3
driven by basic instincts rather than reason; primal or instinctive.
He felt an animalish urge to bolt from the room.
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Last updated: 2025/08/11 23:22