A jackal is a wild dog-like mammalan animal that feeds its babies milk and has hair or fur found in parts of Africa and Asia. It is usually active at night and is smaller than a wolf. The word can also be used figurativelyin a non-literal way, using language to suggest an idea for a person who does unpleasantcausing dislike, annoyance, or discomfort work for someone else, but that meaning is less common and was not part of the supplied dictionary data.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈdʒækəl/
Easy pronunciation: JACK-uhl (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
The animal sense: a wild Old World dog-like mammal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Jackal Meaning
a wild dog-like animal
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A wild Old World canine mammal related to dogs, smaller than a wolf, and usually active at night.
Example: We heard a jackal howling in the distance after dark.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- Canis aureus — Scientific name for the golden jackal; not a general everyday substitute.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Jackal Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- Canis aureus
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse jackals with wolves, coyotes, or hyenas, but they are different animals.
- Canis aureus is a scientific name, not a common synonym people usually use in conversation.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does jackal mean?
Jackal means a wild dog-like mammal that is smaller than a wolf and often active at night.
What are jackal synonyms?
The supplied data only gives Canis aureus, which is the scientific name of the golden jackal.
Is jackal a type of dog?
It is closely related to dogs, but it is a wild species, not a domestic dog.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
