anal

¹

[eyn-l]

adjective

1. of, relating to, involving, or near the anus.

   anal cancer.

2. Psychoanalysis.

   1. of or relating to the second stage of psychosexual development, during which gratification is derived from the retention or expulsion of feces.

   2. of or relating to an anal character.

   3. of or relating to gratification derived from stimulation of the anus.

      the pleasurable sensations of anal eroticism.

anal.

²

abbreviation

1. analogous.

2. analogy.

3. analysis.

4. analytic.

anal

/ ˈeɪnəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or near the anus

2. psychoanal

   1. relating to a stage of psychosexual development during which the child's interest is concentrated on the anal region and excremental functions

   2. designating personality traits in the adult, such as orderliness, meanness, stubbornness, etc, due to fixation at the anal stage of development Compare genital oral phallic

Other Word Forms

• anally adverb
• postanal adjective
• preanal adjective
• subanal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anal¹

First recorded in 1760–70; an(us) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of anal¹

C18: from New Latin ānālis; see _anus

Example Sentences

I’m kind of anal about how I choose the colors and how I highlight everything.

From Los Angeles Times

Untreated STIs can lead to infertility and increase the risk for cervical and anal cancers.

From Salon

People with HIV have a greater relative risk of anal cancer compared with people without HIV, no matter where they live.

From Science Daily

Perianal fistulae, abnormal connections between the anal canal and perianal skin, are a common complication of Crohn's disease that often result in painful abscesses and impact patients' quality of life.

From Science Daily

A mother-of-four who had never heard of anal cancer before her diagnosis said she wanted people to feel comfortable talking about their bottoms.

From BBC

Related Words

• fussy 
• persnickety 
• picky