1
: of, relating to, situated near, or involving the anus
an anal fin
2
psychoanalytic theory
a
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being the stage of psychosexual development which follows the oral stage (see oral entry 1 sense 3) and during which the child is concerned especially with the expulsion or retention of feces
b
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being personality traits (such as parsimony, meticulousness, and ill humor) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
an anal disposition
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or preciseI have a mania for neatness in some matters that is almost anal.—
Joseph Heller
Joseph HellerExamples of anal in a Sentence
Adjective
He can be pretty anal about keeping his office neat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The model and actress was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006 and was declared cancer-free on her 60th birthday in 2007, per the Farrah Fawcett Foundation.
—
Alyssa Modos,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
White catfish have between 19 and 23 rays, channel catfish have 24 to 30, and blue catfish have the longest anal fin with 30 to 36 rays in total.
—
Ken Perrotte,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?
—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for anal
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Adjective
Over an 18-month period, fishers at two major fish markets in Puerto Rico submitted nearly 400 shark anal fins as part of a collaborative monitoring program.
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The model and actress was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006 and was declared cancer-free on her 60th birthday in 2007, per the Farrah Fawcett Foundation.
—
Alyssa Modos,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
White catfish have between 19 and 23 rays, channel catfish have 24 to 30, and blue catfish have the longest anal fin with 30 to 36 rays in total.
—
Ken Perrotte,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?
—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for anal
Cite this Entry
“Anal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anal. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
anal
1 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or situated near the anus
the anal opening
anal fissures
2
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the oral stage and during which a child derives libidinal gratification from the expulsion and retention of the feces and conflict arises from parental demands regarding toilet training
During the anal stage, from about 18 months to 3 years, the sphincter muscles become sensitive and controllable and bowel and bladder retention and elimination become a source of gratification.—David G. Myers, Psychology
David G. Myers, Psychology
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits (as orderliness, frugality, and obstinacy) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or precise
compare genital sense 3, oral sense 3, phallic sense 2
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