animality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Philosophical
Quick answer
What does “animality” mean?
the physical, instinctual, or non-rational nature of animals (and by extension, humans).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the physical, instinctual, or non-rational nature of animals (and by extension, humans).
The quality or state of being animal-like; the realm of basic biological drives, sensations, and instincts distinct from human reason, spirituality, or civilization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The word is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to appear in British academic/theological writing historically, but the distinction is minimal.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, primarily confined to academic/philosophical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “animality” in a Sentence
[verb] + animality (e.g., embrace, transcend, suppress, reveal)animality + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., animality of the body, animality in humans)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “animality” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The novel does not animalise its characters; it explores their inherent animality.
American English
- The film animalizes the protagonists, reducing them to pure animality.
adverb
British English
- He lived animalistically, concerned only with survival and sensation.
American English
- The creature behaved animalistically, driven by base instinct.
adjective
British English
- The philosopher wrote of the animalistic drives underlying civilisation.
American English
- His response was purely animalistic, devoid of higher thought.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in philosophy, theology, critical theory, and animal studies to discuss the human-animal distinction.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound odd or pretentious.
Technical
Possible in ethology or philosophical anthropology as a conceptual term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “animality”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “animality”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “animality”
- Using it as a synonym for 'a group of animals' (that is 'fauna').
- Using it in casual conversation where 'instinct' or 'wild side' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'animalty' or 'animalicity'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal word used primarily in academic, philosophical, or literary contexts.
'Animality' is a neutral or descriptive term for the state of being animal-like. 'Bestiality' strongly implies extreme cruelty, depravity, or non-human sexual behaviour, and is almost always negative.
Rarely, but it is possible. For example, one might praise an artist for 'capturing the vital animality of the subject,' implying a positive, primal energy. Usually, it carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation.
It is a noun (an abstract noun).
the physical, instinctual, or non-rational nature of animals (and by extension, humans).
Animality is usually formal, literary, philosophical in register.
Animality: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ɪˈmæl.ɪ.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.əˈmæl.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The line between humanity and animality”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANIMALITY = ANIMAL + REALITY. It refers to the *reality* of our *animal* nature.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN IS A COMPOSITE (REASON/ANIMALITY); ANIMALITY IS THE BASE LAYER; CIVILIZATION IS A VEIL OVER ANIMALITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'animality' be MOST appropriately used?