A vertebrateAn animal with a backbone; also used for things having one. is an animal with a backboneThe spine or central support structure in an animal., and vertebrate can also describe something that has a backbone. In everyday use, the nounA word used as the name of a person, place, thing, or idea. sense is usually what people mean when they search for the word.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈvɝː.tə.brət/
Easy pronunciation: VUR-tuh-brut (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress is on the first syllable.
Noun sense: an animal with a backbone or spinal column.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Vertebrate Meaning
An animal with a backbone.
Part of speech: noun
Definition: An animal with a backbone or spinal column.
Example: Fish, birds, and mammals are all vertebrates.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- craniate — A technical biological term for an animal with a skull; it overlaps with this sense, but is less common.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Vertebrate
Meaning 2
Having a backbone.
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Having a backbone or spinal column.
Example: Humans are vertebrate animals.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Vertebrate Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- craniate
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use vertebrate when they mean 'animal' in general, but it specifically means an animal with a backbone.
- Do not confuse vertebrate with invertebrate, which means an animal without a backbone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does vertebrate mean?
Vertebrate usually means an animal with a backbone. It can also be used as an adjective meaning 'having a backbone.'
What is a synonym for vertebrate?
In the biological noun sense, a close technical synonym is craniate. For the adjective sense, there is no common direct synonym in the supplied data.
Is vertebrate the opposite of invertebrate?
Yes. In this biological context, invertebrate is the opposite of vertebrate.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
