anubis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic, Technical (Egyptology, Mythology)
Quick answer
What does “anubis” mean?
The ancient Egyptian god of mummification, tombs, cemeteries, and the afterlife, depicted with the head of a jackal or a dog.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ancient Egyptian god of mummification, tombs, cemeteries, and the afterlife, depicted with the head of a jackal or a dog.
A specific deity within the ancient Egyptian pantheon, responsible for guiding souls to the afterlife and weighing the hearts of the deceased against the feather of Ma'at. Also refers to artistic or cultural representations of this figure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Pronunciation follows standard BrE/AmE patterns for the word's structure.
Connotations
Identical in both variants; carries the same academic/historical/cultural reference.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, found almost exclusively in contexts of history, mythology, archaeology, or popular culture referencing Egypt.
Grammar
How to Use “anubis” in a Sentence
Anubis + verb (e.g., Anubis weighed, guided, protected)worship/priest of + Anubisdepiction/statue/image of + AnubisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anubis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The ritual had an Anubis-like quality to it.
- An Anubis-headed statue was discovered.
American English
- The artifact had an Anubis-like appearance.
- They found an Anubis-headed canopic jar.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in disciplines like Egyptology, Ancient History, Archaeology, Religious Studies, and Art History.
Everyday
Rarely used in general conversation. Might appear in discussions of history, museums, or films about Egypt.
Technical
Core term in Egyptology and related fields, used with precision.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anubis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anubis”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'an anubis' – incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'Annubis' or 'Anibus'.
- Mispronouncing the first syllable as /æn/ instead of /ə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Anubis was not inherently evil. He was a protective, albeit stern, deity associated with a necessary and sacred aspect of existence: death, mummification, and the transition to the afterlife.
Jackals were commonly seen scavenging in desert cemeteries. Egyptians likely linked them to death and the protection of the dead. By depicting Anubis with a jackal's head, they sought to invoke his protective power over graves.
It was a central belief where Anubis weighed the heart of the deceased against the feather of Ma'at (truth/order). If the heart was lighter or equal, the soul could proceed to the afterlife; if heavier, it was devoured.
As part of the ancient Egyptian religion, no. However, he is a figure of interest in modern Kemeticism (revival of Egyptian religion) and appears frequently in modern popular culture (films, games, literature).
The ancient Egyptian god of mummification, tombs, cemeteries, and the afterlife, depicted with the head of a jackal or a dog.
Anubis is usually formal, academic, technical (egyptology, mythology) in register.
Anubis: in British English it is pronounced /əˈnjuːbɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈnuːbɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a **NEW B**usiness (**Nu-Bis**) run by a jackal in charge of funeral services for pharaohs.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANUBIS IS A GUARDIAN/JUDGE. (e.g., 'Anubis guarded the necropolis' / 'Anubis judged the souls').
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary role of Anubis in Egyptian mythology?