Ape vs. Monkey: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on November 21, 2023
Apes are tailless primates with a larger brain-to-body ratio, while monkeys typically have tails and a smaller brain relative to body size.
Difference Between Ape and Monkey
Apes and monkeys, while both primates, showcase distinct anatomical and behavioral differences. Apes, such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans, lack tails. This distinguishing feature sets them apart from the tailed monkeys. Apes, with their larger bodies, also have a more upright posture compared to the generally smaller and more quadrupedal monkeys.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 21, 2023
Both ape and monkey social structures exhibit vast complexities, but apes often show higher levels of social organization and use more sophisticated tools. Apes, especially species like the chimpanzee, are known to use sticks, leaves, or even stones as tools, highlighting their advanced cognitive abilities. Monkeys, though intelligent and adaptable, usually exhibit simpler tool-use behaviors.
Muazma Batool
Nov 21, 2023
Apes have a larger brain-to-body ratio, which is believed to be linked to their more complex behaviors and advanced cognitive skills. This significant brain development is especially evident in the great apes, encompassing chimpanzees, gorillas, and humans. On the contrary, monkeys, while clever and resourceful, possess a smaller brain relative to their body size, which corresponds with their less intricate behaviors.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 21, 2023
The habitats of apes and monkeys can overlap, but their adaptations are tailored to their environments. Many monkeys are arboreal, meaning they primarily live in trees, using their tails for balance and grip. Apes, however, split their time between the ground and trees, using their strong arms for brachiation (swinging from tree limbs) and lack the prehensile tails monkeys utilize.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 21, 2023
Despite these differences, both apes and monkeys play pivotal roles in their ecosystems. Their interactions with their surroundings, from seed dispersal to their roles as prey or predator, underline the importance of conserving these primates and their habitats, given the ecological balance they help maintain.
Lucas
Nov 21, 2023
Ape vs. Monkey Comparison Chart
Brain-to-Body Ratio
Larger ratio indicating more brain development
Smaller ratio
Muazma Batool
Nov 21, 2023
Tool Usage Complexity
Often more advanced with a variety of tools
Simpler tool-use behaviors
Elijah
Nov 21, 2023
Ape vs. Monkey Definitions
◉Ape
A term sometimes colloquially used to describe mimicry.
He can ape his teacher's voice perfectly.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
A term used colloquially to describe mischievous behavior.
Stop monkeying around and get to work!
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
A tailless primate belonging to the superfamily Hominoidea.
Gorillas are the largest species of ape.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
A small to medium-sized primate, excluding the great apes.
The spider monkey uses its long tail for balance.
Henry
Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
A primate distinguished from monkeys by the absence of a tail.
Observing the ape's behavior in the wild offers valuable insights.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
A mammal with a flat face and forward-facing eyes.
The monkey chattered loudly, alerting others to the danger.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
Any of various tailless Old World primates of the superfamily Hominoidea, including the gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
Any of various tailed primates of the suborder Anthropoidea, including the macaques, baboons, capuchins, and marmosets, and excluding the apes.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
Any of various members of this superfamily bearing fur and usually living in the wild, especially orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees, in contrast to humans. Not in scientific use.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
One who behaves in a way suggestive of a monkey, as a mischievous child or a mimic.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
(Slang) A person who is mocked, duped, or made to appear a fool
They made a monkey out of him.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person with dark skin.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
A primate of the clade Hominoidea, generally larger than monkeys and distinguished from them by having no tail.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
To play, fiddle, trifle, or tamper with something
Who was monkeying with my phone?.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
(properly) A member of the clade Simiiformes other than those in the clade Hominoidea containing humans and apes, generally (but not universally) distinguished by small size, tails, and cheek pouches.
He had been visiting an area zoo when a monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a hippo hole.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
Any simian primate other than hominids, any monkey or ape.
Chimpanzees are known to form bands to hunt and kill other monkeys.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
(slang) Wild; crazy.
We were ape over the new look.
He went ape when he heard the bad news.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
A naughty or mischievous person, especially a child.
Stop misbehaving, you cheeky little monkey!
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
A quadrumanous mammal, esp. of the family Simiadæ, having teeth of the same number and form as in man, and possessing neither a tail nor cheek pouches. The name is applied esp. to species of the genus Hylobates, and is sometimes used as a general term for all Quadrumana. The higher forms, the gorilla, chimpanzee, and ourang, are often called anthropoid apes or man apes.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
One who imitates servilely (in allusion to the manners of the ape); a mimic.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
(pejorative) uggo: an unattractive person, especially one whose face supposedly resembles a monkey's.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
To mimic, as an ape imitates human actions; to imitate or follow servilely or irrationally.
The people of England will not ape the fashions they have never tried.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
synonym of puppet: a person dancing to another's tune, a person controlled or directed by another.
No, no, no, not you. I want to talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
A menial employee who does a repetitive job supposedly requiring minimal intelligence.
code monkey... grease monkey... phone monkey... powder monkey...
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
imitate uncritically and in every aspect;
Her little brother apes her behavior
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
represent in or produce a caricature of;
The drawing caricatured the President
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
A large-brained primate, including humans.
Chimpanzees, an ape species, share many similarities with humans.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
A fluid consisting of hydrochloric acid and zinc, used in the process of soldering.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Ape
A member of the biological family that includes orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees.
The ape swung skillfully from branch to branch.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
(slang) five hundred, especially (British) 500 pounds sterling or 500 dollars.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
(slang) A drug habit; an addiction; a compulsion.
Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
(dance) A dance popularized by Major Lance in 1963, now usually only its upper-body dance move involving exaggerated drumming motions.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
To meddle; to mess (with).
Please don't monkey with the controls if you don't know what you're doing.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana, including apes, baboons, and lemurs.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a mischievous child.
This is the monkey's own giving out; she is persuaded I will marry her.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome manner.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
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
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly;
The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
A primate typically characterized by a tail, belonging to the infraorder Simiiformes.
The capuchin monkey is known for its intelligence.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
◉Monkey
An animal known for its agility in trees.
The monkey quickly leapt to the highest branch.
Henry
Sep 26, 2023
Ape vs. Monkey Frequently Asked Questions
Are humans classified as apes or monkeys?
Humans are classified as apes, specifically within the great apes.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 21, 2023
Do both apes and monkeys use tools?
Yes, but apes often exhibit more advanced tool use and behaviors than monkeys.
Elijah
Nov 21, 2023
What are some examples of apes?
Gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and humans are considered apes.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 21, 2023
Do monkeys have tails while apes don't?
Yes, most monkeys have tails, whereas apes lack tails.
Muazma Batool
Nov 21, 2023
Which has a more upright posture, ape or monkey?
Apes typically have a more upright posture compared to monkeys.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 21, 2023
Which primate typically has a larger brain-to-body ratio?
Apes generally have a larger brain-to-body ratio than monkeys.
Leo
Nov 21, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
