Meaning

(not comparable) Of, related to, intended for or involving the anus. [from 18th c.].

Definitions by Sense

1. (not comparable) Of, related to, intended for or involving the anus. [from 18th c.]
2. (psychoanalysis) Of the stage in psychosexual development when the child's interest is alleged to be concentrated on the anal region. [from 20th c.]
3. (psychology, also informal, vulgar) Of a person, compulsive and stubborn, obsessed with neatness and accuracy (usually in an egosyntonic way), supposedly from not having progressed beyond the anal stage. [from 20th c.]
4. (informal, vulgar) Of tasks, questions, subject matter, etc., obsessively fussy or precise.
5. (entomology) Of a vein, proximate to the thorax.
6. (countable) Any of the anal scales of a reptile.
7. (uncountable, informal) Anal sex.
8. (transitive, slang, rare, chiefly in pornography) To penetrate anally.

Example Sentences

anal thermometer

an anal examination

anal sex

Please don't touch his furniture, as he can get very anal about things like that.

He was a model of anal defensiveness: fastidious in his dress and appearance, a collector and putter of things in order, a classifier and labeler.

This questionnaire goes into the most ridiculous amount of detail. It's totally anal.

In the right mood, I'll accept anal.

I'll do anything except anal.

Word Forms

• more anal
• most anal
• anals
• analing
• analling
• analed
• analled

Synonyms for anal.

Antonyms for anal.

Related Words

When Should You Use Anal.?

Use anal. when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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Frequently Asked Questions