noun

1. Any member of the clade Simiiformes not also of the clade Hominoidea containing humans and apes, from which they are usually, but not universally, distinguished by smaller size, a tail, and cheek pouches.

   “He had been visiting an area zoo when a monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a hippo hole.”

2. Any nonhuman simian primate, including apes.

   “Chimpanzees are known to form bands to hunt and kill other monkeys.”

3. A mischievous child.

   “She's a cheeky monkey.”

verb

1. To meddle; to mess (with).

   “Please don't monkey with the controls if you don't know what you're doing.”

2. To mimic; to ape.

Synonyms: fiddle, interfere