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The Latin word for "ape" is simia, which itself comes from simus, "snub-nosed". Simian is usually a scientific word; thus, for instance, biologists study simian viruses in the search for cures to AIDS and other diseases. But simian can be used by the rest of us to describe human behavior. Human babies often cling to their mothers in a simian way, and kids playing on a jungle gym may look like simians. But if you notice that a friend has a simian style of walking or eating bananas, it might be best not to tell him.
Examples of simian in a Sentence
Adjective
a study of simian viruses
Recent Examples on the Web
Jon Cohen, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
Everyone, including our simian hero, is obsessed with digging into the fully destructible ground to unearth its precious metals and gems.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
Despite the role the simians play in the series as observers of the human drama, the resorts on the TWL3 trail are monkey-free.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for simian
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Adjective
When a group of monkeys were given the compound before being exposed to H.I.V.’s simian cousin, S.I.V., not a single one was infected.
—Jon Cohen, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
Everyone, including our simian hero, is obsessed with digging into the fully destructible ground to unearth its precious metals and gems.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Noun
Rival trainers brought chimpanzees to town — including a celebrated simian named Joe Mendi, who wore a plaid suit and a fedora hat.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
Despite the role the simians play in the series as observers of the human drama, the resorts on the TWL3 trail are monkey-free.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for simian
Cite this Entry
“Simian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simian. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
simian
1 of 2 adjective
sim·i·an
ˈsim-ē-ən 
: of, relating to, or resembling monkeys or apes
simian
2 of 2 nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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