political animal

noun

A person driven by political motives.

OriginAncient Greek πολιτικὸν ζῷον →
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Meanings

nounpolitical animal (plural political animals)

plural political animals

  1. A person driven by political motives.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekπολιτικὸν ζῷον
  2. Englishpolitical animal

Calque of Ancient Greek πολιτικὸν ζῷον (politikòn zōîon), originally a concept taken from Aristotle at various places (History of Animals, Politics), though later as character type – possibly inherited in political families – introduced into everyday politics without philosophical background.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish poliittinen eläin
  • poliittinen eläinperson driven by political motives
French animal politique
  • animal politiqueperson driven by political motives
German politisches Tier
  • politisches Tierperson driven by political motives
Greek ζώον πολιτικόν
  • ζώον πολιτικόν (zóon politikón)person driven by political motives
Cite this entry
APA

political animal. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/political%20animal

MLA

“political animal.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/political%20animal. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “political animal,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/political%20animal.

Source: political animal on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.