animal
IPA: /ˈænɪməl/
a living creature that is not a plant
English vocabulary by topic
Animal vocabulary in English
Names for pets, farm animals and wildlife that you can use in simple conversations and descriptions.
12 wordsBritish audioClear definitions
The animal words you will learn
The list includes familiar pets such as cat and dog, farm animals such as cow and horse, and wildlife including lion, tiger, elephant and wolf. You will often meet these nouns in stories, nature descriptions and everyday conversation.
Learn each name with one clear feature: a big elephant, a striped tiger or a small rabbit. Connecting a noun to an adjective makes it easier to remember than an isolated definition.
Vocabulary
Words in this topic
Use the speaker icon to hear each word in British English.
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bird
IPA: /bɜːd/
an animal with feathers and wings
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cat
IPA: /kæt/
a small animal often kept as a pet
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cow
IPA: /kaʊ/
a large farm animal that produces milk
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dog
IPA: /dɒɡ/
an animal often kept as a pet or working animal
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elephant
IPA: /ˈɛlɪfənt/
a very large animal with a long trunk
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horse
IPA: /hɔːs/
a large animal used for riding and work
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lion
IPA: /ˈlaɪən/
a large wild cat that lives in groups
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monkey
IPA: /ˈmʌŋkɪ/
an animal that can climb and use its hands
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rabbit
IPA: /ˈræbɪt/
a small animal with long ears
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tiger
IPA: /ˈtaɪɡə/
a large wild cat with dark stripes
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wolf
IPA: /wʊlf/
a wild animal related to the dog
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How to remember these words
- Sort the words into pets, farm animals and wildlife.
- Add a colour, size or characteristic action to every noun.
- Write three sentences about animals you like.
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Useful phrases
The cat is sleeping on the chair.
A tiger is a large wild animal.
My favourite animal is a horse.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Which animal words should I learn first?
Start with cat, dog, bird, horse and cow. They are common in simple texts and easy to connect with clear images.
What is the plural of wolf?
The plural of wolf is wolves. A similar spelling change happens with some other nouns ending in f.
What is the difference between an animal and a pet?
Animal is the general category. A pet is an animal kept for companionship, such as a cat or dog.
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