anthropomorphous
|an-thro-po-mor-ous|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθrəˈmɔːrfəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθrəˈmɔːfəs/
having human form / humanlike
Etymology
'anthropomorphous' originates from Greek via New Latin, specifically from the Greek elements 'anthrōpos' meaning 'human' and 'morphē' meaning 'form'.
'anthropomorphous' came into English by way of New Latin and medieval scholarly usage (cf. Latinized forms such as 'anthropomorphus'), eventually appearing in English as 'anthropomorphous' with the adjectival suffix '-ous'.
Initially it meant 'having the form of a human', and over time it also came to be used for the broader sense 'attributing human characteristics to non-human things', which is common in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having or resembling human form.
The ancient statues were anthropomorphous, bearing distinctly human shapes.
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Antonyms
Adjective 2
describing or attributing human characteristics or behavior to non-human entities (animals, objects, forces).
Her anthropomorphous narration made the storm sound like an angry person.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/26 10:51