Definition

1. Noun:

   • A primate: A mammal belonging to the group of primates that typically has a long tail, lives in trees in tropical countries, and is known for its intelligence and agility.
   • A mischievous person: A person, especially a child, who behaves in a playful and naughty way.

2. Verb:

   • To tamper or fiddle with something: To handle, adjust, or alter something in a careless, playful, or secretive way, often causing damage or problems.
   • To fool around: To behave in a silly or playful way, or to waste time on unimportant activities.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The zoo has a new exhibit with several species of monkey.
  • Stop climbing on the furniture, you little monkey!

• Verb:

  • Don't monkey with the thermostat; you'll break it.
  • He spent the afternoon monkeying around in the garage instead of doing his homework.

Advanced Usage

• "To make a monkey out of someone": To make someone look foolish or ridiculous.

  • The magician's trick made a monkey out of the volunteer from the audience.

• "Monkey business": Silly, mischievous, or dishonest behavior.

  • The teacher left the room and warned the class there would be no monkey business.

Variants and Related Words

• Monkeyish (adj): Resembling or characteristic of a monkey; mischievous.

  • The children's monkeyish antics made everyone laugh.

• Monkey wrench (n): A type of adjustable wrench. (Note: This is a compound noun listed separately as a variant).

  • He used a monkey wrench to tighten the bolt.

Synonyms

• Noun (primate): Ape, primate. (Note: "Ape" typically refers to tailless primates like gorillas or chimpanzees).
• Noun (person): Rascal, imp, scamp.
• Verb (tamper): Tamper, fiddle, tinker, meddle.
• Verb (fool around): Mess around, play about, dawdle.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Monkey about/around: To act or play in a silly, casual, or time-wasting manner.

  • The kids were just monkeying about in the backyard.

• Monkey with: To handle or interfere with something, especially in a way that might cause damage.

  • You shouldn't monkey with electrical equipment if you don't know what you're doing.

Related Idioms

• A monkey on one's back: A persistent problem, annoyance, or addiction that is hard to get rid of.

  • His gambling debt was a monkey on his back for years.

• More fun than a barrel of monkeys: Extremely amusing or entertaining.

  • That comedy show was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

Noun

1. one who is playfully mischievous
2. any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)

Verb

1. do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
   • The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house
2. play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly
   • Someone tampered with the documents on my desk
   • The reporter fiddle with the facts