Definition

Noun: 1. A large, long-armed ape of Borneo and Sumatra with arboreal habits: A great ape (Pongo), known for its distinctive reddish-brown hair, high intelligence, and primarily tree-dwelling (arboreal) lifestyle in the rainforests of Southeast Asia.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The orangutang is one of humankind's closest living relatives.
  • Conservationists are working to protect the habitat of the critically endangered orangutang.
  • We observed a young orangutang skillfully moving through the forest canopy.

Advanced Usage

• The term "orangutang" is a common, older, or variant spelling of the more standard modern term orangutan. Both refer to the same animal.
• It is often used in historical texts or in certain regional dialects.

Variants and Related Words

• Orangutan (n): The standard modern spelling for the ape.
• Orangutans (n, plural): The plural form.
• Pongo (n): The scientific genus name for orangutans.

Synonyms

• Great ape: A broader category including orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos.
• Ape: A general term for tailless primates, including orangutans.

Notes on Usage

• While "orangutang" is widely understood, "orangutan" is the preferred spelling in most scientific and formal contexts.
• The word originates from Malay and Indonesian words meaning "person of the forest" ().

Noun

1. large long-armed ape of Borneo and Sumatra having arboreal habits