any of a group of anthropoid primates characterized by long arms, a broad chest, and the absence of a tail, comprising the family Pongidae (great ape), which includes the chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan, and the family Hylobatidae (lesser ape), which includes the gibbon and siamang.

(loosely) any primate except humans.

an imitator; mimic.

Informal . a big, ugly, clumsy person.

to imitate; mimic

to ape another's style of writing.

go ape

Slang . to become violently emotional

When she threatened to leave him, he went ape.

go ape over

Slang . to be extremely enthusiastic about

They go ape over old rock music.

verb

affect , caricature , copy , counterfeit , ditto * , do * , do like , echo , emulate , go like , imitate , impersonate , make like , mirror , mock , parody , parrot , take off * , travestynotes:a monkey is a primate and not a type of ape , an ape is a primate and not a type of monkey , and a chimpanzee is a type of ape (so it\'s a primate but not a monkey) , burlesque , mimic , travesty , baboon , chimpanzee , gelada , gibbon , gorilla , mime , orangutan , simian