pattern

Essential Vocabulary for the GRE - Related to Animals

Here you will learn some English words about animals, such as "burrow", "whisker", "fang", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

review-disable

Review

flashcard-disable

Flashcards

spelling-disable

Spelling

quiz-disable

Quiz

Start learning
Essential Words Needed for the GRE
fauna
[noun]

the animals of a particular geological period or region

Ex: Climate change poses a threat to the Arctic fauna, endangering species like polar bears and Arctic foxes .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
indigenous
[Adjective]

(of animals and plants) found and developed only in a particular place and not been brought from elsewhere

Ex: Orchids are indigenous flowers that grow in diverse habitats around the world , from tropical rainforests to alpine meadows .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
canine
[noun]

a member of the dog family, including domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, and related animals

Ex: Wolves , a wild canine species , exhibit complex social structures and hunting strategies that fascinate wildlife biologists .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
feline
[noun]

any animal in the cat family

Ex: The zoo exhibited various felines, including cheetahs and leopards .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in

species that do not possess or cannot develop a spinal column, such as an arthropod, mollusk, etc.

Ex: She studied various invertebrates in biology class , including earthworms and jellyfish .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
amphibian
[noun]

any cold-blooded animal with the ability to live both on land and in water, such as toads, frogs, etc.

Ex: Some amphibians, such as the African clawed frog , are commonly kept as pets in home aquariums .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in

the hard outer covering that supports the body of an animal, such as an arthropod

Ex: A grasshopper 's exoskeleton allows it to jump long distances .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
arthropod
[noun]

an invertebrate animal with a segmented body and a chitinous exoskeleton, such as a spider, crab, etc.

Ex: Arthropods molt their exoskeletons as they grow larger .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
reptilian
[noun]

any cold-blooded animal of the class Reptilia that breathes air and is a vertebrate, such as snakes, frogs, etc.

Ex: Reptilians usually lay their eggs on land and hatch into young resembling miniature adults.
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
mollusk
[noun]

any invertebrate that lives in aquatic or damp habitats and has a soft unsegmented body, often covered with a shell

Ex: Some mollusks, like snails , move slowly using a muscular foot .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
vermin
[noun]

small animals or insects that are believed to be destructive and are difficult to handle when they appear in a considerable number

Ex: During the medieval times , vermin like fleas and lice were rampant and often spread diseases .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
carnivore
[noun]

an animal that feeds on the flesh of other animals

Ex: Hyenas are scavenging carnivores known for their distinctive laughs .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
herbivore
[noun]

any animal that only feeds on plants

Ex: Giraffes use their long necks to reach leaves high in trees , typical of herbivores.
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
omnivore
[noun]

an animal or person that feeds on a wide range of both plants and meat

Ex: The panda is a well-known omnivore, consuming bamboo shoots as well as small animals .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
to cull
[Verb]

to control the population of a wild animal, particularly by killing weak or sick ones

Ex: The city council voted to cull stray dogs to address the increasing number of animal control issues .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
to breed
[Verb]

(of an animal) to have sex and give birth to young

Ex: Certain fish species display vibrant colors and perform elaborate courtship rituals before breeding.
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
tame
[Adjective]

(of an animal) fit to live with people and not afraid of them

Ex: At the wildlife sanctuary , some animals had become tame due to their regular interactions with the caregivers .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
predatory
[Adjective]

(of wild animals) living by preying on other animals, especially live animals

Ex: The owl 's predatory gaze followed the movement of a mouse on the forest floor .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
to spay
[Verb]

to remove the sexual organs of a female animal, called ovaries

Ex: She volunteers at the clinic where they spay and neuter feral cats .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in

to blend in with the surroundings to avoid being seen or detected

Ex: The stick insect resembles a twig , allowing it to camouflage among branches and foliage to avoid detection by predators .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
broodmare
[noun]

a female horse that is kept for breeding

Ex: The ranch specializes in raising quality broodmares for the racing industry .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
buck
[noun]

a male deer, rabbit, or antelope

Ex: The majestic buck stood proudly on the hill , surveying his domain .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
burrow
[noun]

a hole that an animal digs in the ground to use as a shelter

Ex: Moles create intricate burrow networks underground , making it difficult for gardeners to maintain their lawns .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
den
[noun]

the hidden place where a wild predatory animal lives

Ex: Rabbits excavate burrows in the soil to create cozy dens where they can hide from predators and rear their offspring .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in

to make low crying sounds out of fear, pain or sadness

Ex: She could hear the injured bird whimpering loudly in the bushes .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
fowl
[noun]

a domesticated bird that is particularly kept for its meat and eggs

Ex: Wild fowl, such as ducks and geese , migrate to warmer climates during winter .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
hatchling
[noun]

an animal that has recently come out of its shell

Ex: She carefully monitored the incubation temperature to ensure successful hatchlings.
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in

to keep an egg in a favorable condition to help it develop until it hatches

Ex: Birds of prey like eagles build large nests where they incubate their eggs and raise their chicks .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in

(of some animals or plants) to spend the winter sleeping deeply

Ex: Ground squirrels hibernate in their burrows, where they enter a state of deep torpor to survive the winter.
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
to graze
[Verb]

(of sheep, cows, etc.) to feed on the grass in a field

Ex: The shepherd led the flock to graze on the hillside .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
to peck
[Verb]

(of a bird) to move the beak in a sudden movement and bite something

Ex: The woodpecker pecked rhythmically on the tree trunk .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in

to move smoothly and quietly, like a snake

Ex: The frost-covered snake slithered across the icy path .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
to tweet
[Verb]

to make a short high sound characteristic of a bird

Ex: During mating season , male birds tweet to attract females .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
to canter
[Verb]

(of horses) to move quite fast, but not yet as fast as possible

Ex: Watching the wild mustangs canter across the plains was a breathtaking sight.
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
whisker
[noun]

any of the long, stiff hairs that grow on the face of a cat, mouse, etc.

Ex: The squirrel's whiskers brushed against the bark as it climbed the tree.
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
muzzle
[noun]

the projecting part of the face of some animals such as dogs and horses that includes their jaws and noses

Ex: The puppy 's wet muzzle left a mark on her jeans after playtime .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
fang
[noun]

a long, pointed tooth found in carnivorous animals, used for biting, gripping, and tearing flesh

Ex: The wolf 's fangs are essential for hunting and tearing meat .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
tusk
[noun]

each of the curved pointy teeth of some animals such as elephants, boars, etc., especially one that stands out from the closed mouth

Ex: The tusks of the narwhal , often mistaken for unicorn horns , have inspired myths and legends for centuries .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
plumage
[noun]

the feathers of a bird covering its body

Ex: Ducks molt and regrow their plumage every year .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
crest
[noun]

a prominent feature exhibited by some birds on their heads, consisting of feathers, fur, or skin

Ex: During mating season , the male quetzal grows a particularly vibrant and long crest to attract a mate .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
leash
[noun]

a long piece of rope, leather strap or light chain used for guiding and controlling a dog or other animals

Ex: He forgot to bring a leash and had to carry the small dog in his arms .
daily words
wordlist
Close
Sign in
Essential Vocabulary for the GRE
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app