What does "neanderthal" mean?
Alternative letter-case form of Neanderthal.
Neanderthal
/niːˈæn.dəˌtɑːl/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Alternative letter-case form of Neanderthal.
- Grammar: neanderthal is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: ancient, animal, archaic, archaic human.
- Useful contrasts: Homo sapiens, civilized, civilized person.
- Usage evidence: The Neanderthal was named after theologian Joachim Neander.
How to use "neanderthal"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "neanderthal" 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 "neanderthal" 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
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "neanderthal" is acting as adj, 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 "ancient" 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.
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Final meaning check
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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 Alternative letter-case form of Neanderthal. alt-of
- 2 A specimen of the now extinct species Homo neanderthalensis.
"These injuries may reflect the rigors of hunting with the Neanderthals' limited repertoire of weapons; the Neanderthals never seem to have developed projectiles, so they would have to have gotten more or less on top of their prey in order to kill them."
- 3 extinct robust human of Middle Paleolithic in Europe and western Asia wordnet
- 4 A primitive, savage or uncivilized person. derogatory
Adjective
- 1 Alternative letter-case form of Neanderthal. alt-of, not-comparable
- 2 Of or pertaining to Homo neanderthalensis. not-comparable
"The capacity of the Neanderthal skull was 10% larger than that of modern humans."
- 3 Old-fashioned, opposed to change. broadly, not-comparable
- 4 Of or pertaining to the Neander Valley in Germany. not-comparable
Adjective
- 1 ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance wordnet
- 2 relating to or belonging to or resembling Neanderthal man wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"The Neanderthal was named after theologian Joachim Neander."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "neanderthal"?
Common synonyms include: ancient, animal, archaic, archaic human, barbarian, barbarian.
How do you use "neanderthal" in a sentence?
The Neanderthal was named after theologian Joachim Neander.
How do you pronounce "neanderthal"?
Pronounced /niːˈæn.dəˌtɑːl/.
Etymology
From obsolete German Neanderthal, now spelled Neandertal, the name of a valley (German Tal, older also spelled Thal) near Düsseldorf where the first Neanderthal was discovered in 1856. A hollow near the valley was known as Neanderhöhle (“Neander Hollow”) and Neandershöhle (“Neander’s Hollow”) in the early 19th century, and the valley had been renamed to Neanderthal in 1850, in honour of the German Calvinist theologian and hymn writer Joachim Neander (1650–1680). Before, the valley was known as das Gesteins (literally “The Rocks [sg.]”) and Hundsklipp (literally “Dog Cliff”). The name of Joachim Neander is based on the Ancient Greek translation (νέος (néos) + ᾰ̓νήρ (ănḗr)) of his original surname Neumann (“Newman”). The pronunciation with the "th" sound (/θ/) is a spelling pronunciation; the original German word is pronounced with a "t" sound (/t/).