Orangutan

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /əˈɹæŋ.ʉ.tæn/, /əˈɹæŋ.ʉˌtæŋ/
• US

Alternative forms

• orang utan, orang-utan, orang-utang, orangutang, orangoutan, orangoutang

Origin

Malay orang ("person", "man") + hutan ("forest") "forest man". The name "orang utan (sic)" appears to have been bestowed by Europeans. The indigenous name given to the apes Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii by locals historically was mawas.

Full definition of orangutan

Noun

1. An arboreal anthropoid ape genus Pongo consisting of two species, Pongo pygmaeus of Borneo and Pongo abelii of Sumatra, having a shaggy reddish-brown coat, very long arms, and no tail.