ani: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency / Specialized)Specialized / Scientific (Ornithology), Literary
Quick answer
What does “ani” mean?
A tropical American bird of the cuckoo family (genus Crotophaga), characterized by a large, curved bill and black plumage, often seen in small groups.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tropical American bird of the cuckoo family (genus Crotophaga), characterized by a large, curved bill and black plumage, often seen in small groups.
In ornithology, refers specifically to three species: the Smooth-billed Ani, the Groove-billed Ani, and the Greater Ani. The term is sometimes used metaphorically in literature to evoke tropical settings or communal behavior.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties. American English speakers might have slightly higher exposure due to the bird's geographic range.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific. May evoke exoticism or specific ecological knowledge.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Encountered primarily in nature documentaries, specialized texts, or by birdwatchers.
Grammar
How to Use “ani” in a Sentence
The [adjective] ani [verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ani” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not used as a verb)
American English
- (Not used as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not used as a standard adjective)
American English
- (Not used as a standard adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and zoology papers discussing neotropical bird species, behavior, or phylogeny.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by birdwatchers or in regions where the bird is native.
Technical
Standard term in ornithological field guides and scientific classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ani”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ani”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ani”
- Misspelling as 'anny' or 'annee'.
- Using it as a common noun instead of a proper name for a specific genus.
- Incorrect pluralization ('anis' is standard, not 'anies').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized term used almost exclusively in ornithology and birdwatching.
In both British and American English, it is most commonly /ˈɑːni/ (AH-nee). In American English, /ˈæni/ (AN-ee) is also an accepted variant.
Yes, 'ani' is a valid word in Scrabble and other word games, as it is a noun with a clear dictionary definition.
The standard plural is 'anis'. It follows the regular rule for nouns ending in a vowel sound.
A tropical American bird of the cuckoo family (genus Crotophaga), characterized by a large, curved bill and black plumage, often seen in small groups.
Ani is usually specialized / scientific (ornithology), literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'Annie' who loves the tropics and has a big, curved beak. 'Ani' sounds like 'Annie', the tropical bird.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNITY IS A FLOCK OF ANIS (due to their highly social, cooperative breeding behavior).
Practice
Quiz
What is an 'ani'?