What does "lemur" mean?
Any strepsirrhine primate of the superfamily Lemuroidea, native only to Madagascar and some surrounding islands.
Lemur
/ˈliːmə(ɹ)/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any strepsirrhine primate of the superfamily Lemuroidea, native only to Madagascar and some surrounding islands.
- Grammar: lemur is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: ape, gorilla, lemurid primate, lemuriform primate.
- Usage evidence: Madame Berthe's mouse lemur is the smallest primate in the world.
How to use "lemur"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "lemur" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "lemur" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "lemur" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "lemur" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "lemur" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ape" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "lemur", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any strepsirrhine primate of the superfamily Lemuroidea, native only to Madagascar and some surrounding islands.
""Lemurs are naturally very social," said Mukobi. "Wild lemurs live in big family groups, and different species do really well together. Plus, the new lemur habitat is quite large, so each family group can have their own space when they choose to.""
- 2 large-eyed arboreal prosimian having foxy faces and long furry tails wordnet
- 3 Any of the genus Lemur, represented by the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta).
- 4 A loris (Lemur tardigradus, now Loris tardigradus), predating the 10th edition of Systema Naturæ. obsolete
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Madame Berthe's mouse lemur is the smallest primate in the world."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "lemur"?
Common synonyms include: ape, gorilla, lemurid primate, lemuriform primate, lemuroid primate, man.
How do you use "lemur" in a sentence?
Madame Berthe's mouse lemur is the smallest primate in the world.
How do you pronounce "lemur"?
Pronounced /ˈliːmə(ɹ)/.
Etymology
From Latin lemurēs (“spirits of the dead”). The name was originally given to the red slender loris (then Lemur tardigradus) in 1754 by Carl Linnaeus. According to Linnaeus, the name was selected because of the nocturnal activity and slow movements of the red slender loris. In 1758, Linnaeus added, among others, the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) to the genus Lemur. All other species, including the red slender loris, were eventually moved to other genera. In time, the word became the colloquial name for all primates endemic to Madagascar.