hyaena: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyFormal, Scientific, Literary
Quick answer
What does “hyaena” mean?
A carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, known for its scavenging habits, strong jaws, and distinctive laughing-like vocalization.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, known for its scavenging habits, strong jaws, and distinctive laughing-like vocalization.
Used figuratively to describe a person who is perceived as predatory, scavenging, deceitful, or who laughs in an unpleasant, raucous manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'hyaena' is the traditional British form, while 'hyena' is standard in American English and increasingly common in British English. The British form retains the 'ae' digraph.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. The figurative sense is equally negative and literary.
Frequency
The word is rare in everyday speech in both varieties. The American spelling 'hyena' is more globally recognized due to media. The British spelling 'hyaena' is more likely in historical or formal British texts.
Grammar
How to Use “hyaena” in a Sentence
The hyaena [verb e.g., scavenged, laughed, prowled].He was described as a [adjective] hyaena.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hyaena” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form. Figurative use rare.)
American English
- (No standard verb form.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form.)
American English
- (No adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective form. Use attributive noun, e.g., 'hyaena-like laugh'.)
American English
- (No standard adjective form.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in zoology, biology, and ecology papers.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly in documentaries or nature discussions.
Technical
Specific to taxonomy (family Hyaenidae) and behavioural ecology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hyaena”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hyaena”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hyaena”
- Misspelling: 'hyena' vs. 'hyaena' (both correct but regional).
- Mispronunciation: /ˈhaɪ.nə/ (hi-na) instead of /haɪˈiː.nə/ (hi-EE-na).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Hyaena' is the traditional British spelling, while 'hyena' is the standard American spelling and is now widely used internationally.
No, this is a common misconception. While they scavenge, spotted hyaenas are also proficient hunters, taking down large prey like wildebeest.
Yes, but it is a strong, negative, and somewhat literary or old-fashioned insult, implying they are predatory, scavenging, or have a nasty laugh. It is not common in casual speech.
The British pronunciation /haɪˈiː.nə/ often has a slightly longer /iː/ sound, while the American /haɪˈi.nə/ may have a shorter, flatter /i/ sound. The stress pattern (hi-EE-na) is the same.
A carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, known for its scavenging habits, strong jaws, and distinctive laughing-like vocalization.
Hyaena is usually formal, scientific, literary in register.
Hyaena: in British English it is pronounced /haɪˈiː.nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /haɪˈi.nə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “laugh like a hyaena”
- “have the laugh of a hyaena”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Hi, Eena!' you shout to a laughing hyaena.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DECEITFUL/PREDATORY PERSON IS A HYAENA; AN UNPLEASANT LAUGH IS A HYAENA'S LAUGH.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST common figurative use of 'hyaena'?