Definition of "ape" in English

noun

1. A primate of the superfamily Hominoidea, generally larger than monkeys and distinguished from them by having no tail.

2. Any such primate other than a human.

3. (derogatory) An unintelligent or unsophisticated person, especially one who behaves irrationally or in an uncivilised manner.

4. One who apes; a foolish imitator.

5. (offensive, ethnic slur) A black person.

verb

1. (intransitive) To behave like an ape.

2. (transitive) To imitate or mimic, particularly to imitate poorly.

adjective

1. (slang) Wild; crazy.

   • We were ape over the new look.
   • He went ape when he heard the bad news.