cannibal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Academic / Journalistic when literal; Technical/Business in metaphorical use.
Quick answer
What does “cannibal” mean?
A person who eats the flesh of other human beings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who eats the flesh of other human beings.
An entity (person, organization, animal, or machine) that consumes members of its own kind or destroys its own kind for survival, growth, or profit. Also used in economics/business for 'cannibalization' where a new product reduces sales of an older one from the same company.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in literal meaning or spelling. In business jargon, 'cannibalise/cannibalize' follows regional spelling conventions.
Connotations
Universally negative and shocking in literal sense. Metaphorical use is neutral/descriptive in technical contexts.
Frequency
Metaphorical use ('cannibalise sales', 'cannibalistic behaviour' in animals) is equally common in both academic and business English.
Grammar
How to Use “cannibal” in a Sentence
[be] + a cannibal[accuse/describe/condemn] + [object] + as a cannibal[verb] + like a cannibalVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cannibal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new model will cannibalise sales of our older, more profitable line.
- The tribe was said to cannibalise its enemies.
American English
- The aggressive pricing strategy could cannibalize our flagship product's revenue.
- Some software processes cannibalize system resources from identical tasks.
adverb
British English
- [Rare. Typically not used.]
American English
- [Rare. Typically not used.]
adjective
British English
- They discovered cannibal remains in the cave.
- The market research showed a cannibal effect.
American English
- The cannibal tribes of the region were documented by early explorers.
- We observed cannibal behavior among the lab rats under stress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to 'cannibalisation' where a new product takes market share from a company's existing product.
Academic
Used in anthropology, history, biology (e.g., cannibalistic cells or species), and cultural studies.
Everyday
Used in news, horror stories, historical discussions, and extreme metaphors.
Technical
In ecology (animals eating conspecifics); in computing (processes consuming other similar processes).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cannibal”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cannibal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cannibal”
- Confusing 'cannibal' with 'vampire' (drinks blood) or 'zombie' (undead). Using it as a general insult instead of a specific act. Incorrect plural: 'cannibals' (not 'cannibales').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the core meaning refers to humans, it's commonly used in biology for animals that eat their own species (cannibalistic behaviour) and in business/economics for products that reduce demand for a company's other products.
'Cannibal' is the noun for the person/entity that practises it. 'Cannibalism' is the noun for the practice or custom itself.
Yes, especially in its metaphorical business sense ('cannibalise/cannibalize sales'). The literal verb form ('to cannibalise enemies') is less common but grammatically correct.
It is a factual anthropological term. However, using it to describe living peoples or cultures is highly offensive and often inaccurate, as it carries immense historical stigma from colonial propaganda. It should be used with great care and precision.
A person who eats the flesh of other human beings.
Cannibal is usually formal / academic / journalistic when literal; technical/business in metaphorical use. in register.
Cannibal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkænɪb(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkænəb(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare as a fixed idiom. Often appears in phrases like] 'turn cannibal' (in desperate situations).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CAN a Neighbour I Bite At Lunch?' (CAN-NI-BAL).
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMPTION IS DESTRUCTION / SELF IS PREY / COMPETITION IS CANNIBALISM.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'cannibalise' typically mean?