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Monkeys are tree-dwelling (arboreal) simians. They are in the primate order. Monkeys are intelligent, social animals. Monkeys have a tail, even if it is a short one.

The word "monkey" is a common-language term. It includes two different groups of primates. The big difference is between Old World monkeys and New World monkeys. Some examples of monkeys are macaques, baboons, guenons and marmosets.

• Old World monkeys: Cercopithecidae. Apes are the descendants of Old World monkeys.
• New World Monkeys: Platyrrhini or Ceboidea (same thing in effect)

Both groups are in the infraorder Simiiformes. That infraorder also includes the great apes and humans.