anunnaki: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Very low frequency, specialized)Formal, academic, mythological/archaeological, speculative/pseudoscientific
Quick answer
What does “anunnaki” mean?
A group of deities in Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian mythology.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of deities in Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian mythology.
The pantheon of sky gods, the offspring of An (the sky god) and Ki (the earth goddess), often associated with judging the dead and creating humanity. In modern pop culture (ancient astronaut theories), sometimes depicted as extraterrestrial beings who visited Earth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are identical.
Connotations
Identical academic/mythological connotations. Possibly stronger association with 'ancient astronaut' theories in US popular media.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, confined to specific discourses.
Grammar
How to Use “anunnaki” in a Sentence
[The] + Anunnaki + [verb in plural form] (e.g., The Anunnaki judged...)[Subject] + associated with + the AnunnakiVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anunnaki” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Anunnaki mythology
- Anunnaki origins
American English
- Anunnaki belief system
- Anunnaki narrative
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in archaeology, Assyriology, religious studies, and history texts discussing Mesopotamian mythology.
Everyday
Virtually never used, except in discussions of mythology, pseudoarchaeology, or certain video games/books.
Technical
A technical term within the field of Near Eastern archaeology and mythology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anunnaki”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anunnaki”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anunnaki”
- Treating it as a singular noun (e.g., 'an Anunnaki' – less common).
- Misspelling (e.g., Annunaki, Anunaki).
- Mispronouncing with stress on the second syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically used as a plural collective noun (like 'the police'). The singular 'Anunnaku' exists but is specialist.
Pronounced /əˈnʊnəki/ (uh-NOON-uh-kee), with the primary stress on the second syllable.
No, in most myths they are distinct. The Anunnaki are the major deities, while the Igigi are often younger or lesser gods, sometimes their servants.
Primarily from academic study of cuneiform texts, but also popularised through pseudoarchaeological works and references in modern fiction (books, games).
A group of deities in Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian mythology.
Anunnaki is usually formal, academic, mythological/archaeological, speculative/pseudoscientific in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine AN UNusual NANny from the SKY (An-un-na-ki) who was actually an ancient god.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS DIVINE/HIERARCHICAL (The Anunnaki are the supreme ruling class of the cosmos).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'Anunnaki'?