ethology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “ethology” mean?
The scientific and objective study of animal behaviour, especially under natural conditions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The scientific and objective study of animal behaviour, especially under natural conditions.
In philosophy, it can refer to the study of human character or the science of ethics (an archaic usage), but in modern contexts, it is overwhelmingly used for the zoological discipline.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The spelling is identical.
Connotations
Strictly denotes the scientific discipline. In both regions, it carries connotations of field observation and evolutionary biology.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, but standard and equally used in academic zoology in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “ethology” in a Sentence
N/A (noun only)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ethology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- ethologically
American English
- ethologically
adjective
British English
- ethological
American English
- ethological
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in biological sciences, psychology, and veterinary medicine.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only used by those with specific scientific interest.
Technical
The standard, precise term for the scientific study of animal behaviour in natural contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ethology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ethology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ethology”
- Misspelling as 'ethnology' (the study of cultures).
- Pronouncing it as /eˈθɒlədʒi/ (with a short 'e').
- Using it as a general synonym for 'animal behaviour' rather than the scientific discipline.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Ethology focuses on animal behaviour in natural settings from an evolutionary and biological perspective. Psychology, particularly comparative psychology, often studies behaviour in laboratory settings and may focus more on learning and cognition.
Konrad Lorenz, Niko Tinbergen, and Karl von Frisch are considered the founding fathers; they shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work.
Yes, the sub-field of 'human ethology' applies ethological methods and principles (observation of natural behaviour, evolutionary context) to study human behaviour.
No, it is a specialised academic term. The average person is more likely to say 'animal behaviour study' or simply 'zoology'.
The scientific and objective study of animal behaviour, especially under natural conditions.
Ethology is usually academic, scientific in register.
Ethology: in British English it is pronounced /iːˈθɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /iˈθɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ETHOs' means 'character' in Greek. Ethology studies the character (behaviour) of animals.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEHAVIOUR IS A TEXT TO BE READ (ethologists 'decode' or 'interpret' animal actions).
Practice
Quiz
'Ethology' is most closely related to which other field?