monkey

Everyday

1. A clever animal with long arms and legs, hands that grip, and usually a long tail, that lives mostly in trees in hot countries. tree →
2. (informal) A cheeky child who plays tricks. tree →
3. (verb, monkey around) To play about in a silly way. tree →

In the lessons

In science, monkeys are mammals and primates, like apes and humans; most have tails, which apes (gorillas, chimpanzees) do not. In stories, monkeys are playful and cheeky. In everyday life, «monkey bars» are playground climbing frames; safety: hold on with both hands, one child at a time. Phrases: «monkey bars», «monkey around», «cheeky monkey», «monkey business» (naughty behaviour).

Examples

• The monkey swung from branch to branch. tree →
• Monkeys use their tails to help them balance. tree →
• We played on the monkey bars at break. tree →
• Stop monkeying around and finish your work! tree →
• You cheeky monkey — you hid my shoes! tree →
• A chimpanzee is an ape, not a monkey. tree →
• The monkeys at the zoo were eating bananas. tree →
• No monkey business while I'm out! tree →
• The monkeys scattered with cries of--“Kaa! tree →

Note

Plural: monkeys (not «monkies» — the y stays after a vowel). Trap: apes (gorillas, chimps, orangutans, gibbons) are not monkeys — apes have no tails. Wild monkeys can bite; don't feed them.