monkeys

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of monkey.

   A troop of monkeys gathered near the temple steps at dawn.

   Researchers tracked how the monkeys shared food within the group.

   Note

   A regular plural that simply adds -s and keeps its -y, because the y follows a vowel. Careful usage keeps monkeys apart from apes; stretching the plural to cover chimpanzees or gorillas is frowned upon. Said of people, monkeys can mean mischievous children or fools. The second is plainly insulting, and even the playful one can give offense.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of monkey.

   My brother monkeys with the engine every weekend instead of just driving the car.

   The toddler monkeys with every latch and knob within reach.

   Note

   It shares its spelling with the plural noun, so the singular subject in front is what marks it as a verb. What follows decides the meaning. With with, it means informal meddling, as in she monkeys with the settings. With a direct object, it means imitating, as in he monkeys his brother's swagger.

   He monkeys his older brother's swagger whenever guests visit.

   She monkeys every accent she hears on television.

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