Monkeys have always been the clowns of the animal kingdom—swinging from trees, stealing snacks, chattering away, and generally turning every jungle into a comedy club. Whether it’s their love for bananas, their cheeky behavior, or their acrobatic skills, monkeys are the perfect inspiration for laughs. This collection of 250+ monkey jokes and puns is split into fun categories so everyone—kids, adults, pun-lovers, and banana enthusiasts—can find their share of giggles.
Monkey Puns: A-peel-ing Wordplay!
Get ready for a troop of puns that are more fun than a barrel of… well, you know.
- I told my friend a monkey pun. He said, “Ape-solutely not.”
- Why did the monkey get a promotion? Because he was great at ape-raising his performance!
- I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down, it’s so ape-taining.
- What do you call a monkey in a minefield? A ba-boom.
- Did you hear about the monkey who invented the telephone? He got the Baboon Prize.
- I’m feeling very ape-thetic today.
- That monkey is a musical genius; he’s a real chimp-anist.
- Never trust a monkey who’s a magician. He’s full of chicanery.
- What do you call a monkey with a great sense of smell? A aromamonkey.
- The monkey’s new business was a huge ape-ture.
- I’m not monkeying around, these puns are great!
- What’s a monkey’s favorite wine? Chimp-agne.
- That primate is a real ape-tite for destruction.
- The monkey’s life story was a real ape-logy.
- This is a serious situation, it’s no monkey-business.
- What do you call a monkey that loves to bowl? An ape-split.
- The monkey poet was a master of ape-ositive puns.
- I asked the monkey for a joke, but he just gave me a rhesus-al shrug.
- The monkey’s favorite country is Chimp-anema.
- The monkey’s favorite part of a song is the chimp-anella.
- What do you call a monkey that loves to cook? A baboon-ville chef.
- The monkey’s favorite element is Ape-tite (Ap-Ape-tite).
- The monkey’s favorite type of puzzle? A primate-ic one.
- What do you call a monkey in a suit? Sophisti-cated.
- The monkey’s favorite Beatles song? “I Wanna Hold Your Gibbon.”
Kids Monkey Jokes: Barrel of Giggles!
Simple, silly, and perfect for our little primates!
- What do you call a monkey that loves disco?
A boogie-woogie chimp! - Why did the banana go to the doctor?
Because it wasn’t peeling well! (The monkey was worried). - What is a monkey’s favorite game?
Hide and Go Peek-a-Boo! - Why don’t monkeys play cards in the jungle?
Because there are too many cheetahs! - What do you call a monkey with a banana in each ear?
Anything you want—he can’t hear you! - How do monkeys get down the stairs?
They slide down the banister! - Why did the little monkey get a time-out?
For throwing a hissy fit! - What do you get when you cross a monkey and a snowman?
A frosted ape! - How do you make a monkey laugh on a Saturday?
Tell him a joke on Friday! - What’s a monkey’s favorite bedtime story?
Curious George! - Why was the monkey so good at baseball?
Because he had a great swing! - What do you call a sleeping monkey?
A ape-napper! - How do you know if a monkey is happy?
He gives you a big monkey grin! - What’s a monkey’s favorite fruit?
A ba-na-na! - Why did the monkey take a ladder to the bar?
Because he heard the drinks were on the house! - What do you call a monkey that loves to clean?
A chimpan-sweep! - How do monkeys bake a cake?
They use a recipe from the jungle book! - What’s a monkey’s favorite phone?
The iPhoney he made from a banana! - Why did the monkey sit on the clock?
He wanted to be on time! - What do you call a monkey in the rain?
A wet and wild rascal!
Adult Monkey Jokes: Swinging into Sophisticated Snickers!
A more nuanced look at primate life, with a dash of clever wit.
- A man walks into a bar with a monkey on his shoulder. The bartender says, “Wow, where did you get that?” The monkey replies, “The zoo. They have everything there.”
- I hired a monkey to help me with my procrastination. He’s my procrastination simian. So far, he’s just put everything off until tomorrow.
- A CEO was interviewing a monkey, an elephant, and a giraffe for a senior management position. He asked, “What’s your greatest weakness?” The monkey said, “I tend to go bananas under pressure.” The elephant said, “I never forget a mistake.” The giraffe said, “I have a hard time connecting with people on the ground.” The CEO hired the monkey. When asked why, he said, “At least he’s self-aware.”
- A monkey walks into a library, goes to the counter, and whispers, “Psst.” The librarian whispers back, “Can I help you?” The monkey whispers, “I’d like a book on structural engineering, preferably with lots of pictures.” The librarian, intrigued, gets the book. The monkey thanks her and leaves. The next week, he’s back. “Psst,” he says. “I need a book on masonry and concrete.” The librarian complies. This goes on for months. Finally, she asks, “You’re building something, aren’t you?” The monkey leans in and whispers, “I’ll tell you, but it’s a secret. I’m building a vault. To keep my bananas safe from my friends.”
- My therapist said I had a habit of mimicking negative behaviors. I told her, “Well, monkey see, monkey do.” She was not amused.
- A gorilla walks into a bar and orders a martini. The bartender, stunned, makes the drink and serves it. The gorilla pays with a $20 bill. The bartender, making change, says, “You know, we don’t get many gorillas in here.” The gorilla replies, “At $15 a martini, I’m not surprised.”
- Why did the monkey get kicked out of the book club?
He kept judging the books by their cover, and then he’d eat the cover. - A monkey decided to become a software developer. His first project was a bug-tracking app he called “Ape-ache Jira.”
- Two monkeys are sitting in a tree. One says, “You know, I’ve been having these existential thoughts lately.” The other one says, “Well, stop it. You’re making the vines wilt.”
- A monkey applied for a loan. The bank manager asked, “What do you need the money for?” The monkey said, “I want to start a small business. A banana stand.” The manager said, “What’s your collateral?” The monkey pointed to a plastic dinosaur on the desk. “I’ve got this rare primate-itive artifact.”
Mischievous Monkey Mirth & Playful Primate Puns
For those cheeky, trickster moments!
- What do you call a monkey who steals your keys?
A key-ring leader! - Why did the monkey steal the soap?
He wanted to make a clean getaway! - What’s a monkey’s favorite prank?
Swinging down and yelling “BOO!” in the jungle. - How do you know a monkey is planning a prank?
He gets that mischievous glint in his eye. - What do you call a monkey that loves to play tricks on April 1st?
An April Fool’s Ape! - Why did the monkey put his money in the blender?
He wanted to make liquid assets! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of humor?
Prank-calls from the treetops. - Why did the monkey get in trouble at school?
For monkeying around in class! - What do you call a monkey spy?
A secret ape-gent. - Why are monkeys such bad dancers?
Because they have two left feet… and two right hands for mischief!
Banana Bonanza & Fruitful Fun
Because everything comes back to the beloved banana.
- Why did the monkey like the flexible banana?
Because it was a-peel-ing! - What do you call a monkey’s favorite fruit smoothie?
A ba-nana-na-nana shake! - Why did the banana go out with the prune?
Because it couldn’t get a date! (The monkey was very disappointed). - What’s a monkey’s favorite dessert?
Banana splits, of course! - How does a monkey like its bananas?
Slippery so his friends can’t steal them! - What do you call a monkey who loves fruit and opera?
A bari-tonk! - Why was the monkey staring at the canned fruit?
Because it said “concentrate.” - What’s a monkey’s favorite day of the week?
Fun-day! (Sounds like fundi, a type of banana). - What do you get when you cross a monkey and a potato?
A potato that swings from vines! (Okay, that one’s just silly). - Why did the monkey get a job at the fruit market?
For the ape-peeling benefits!
Swinging into Laughter & Jungle Japes
All about life in the canopy.
- Why was the monkey such a good baseball player?
Because he had a natural swing! - What do you call a monkey with no branches to swing on?
Stuck! - How do monkeys travel through the rainforest?
By jungle-gym! - Why did the monkey fall out of the tree?
Because he was dead. (A classic dark one). - Why did the monkey fall out of the tree the second time?
Because he was stapled to the first monkey. - What do you call a monkey that can climb a 100-foot tree in 10 seconds?
An ambitious monkey! - Why don’t monkeys get lost in the jungle?
Because they always follow the ape-path! - What’s a monkey’s favorite part of the city?
The urban canopy. - How does a monkey know which way to go?
He follows his in-stincts! - What do you call a monkey who’s afraid of heights?
A ground monkey.
Chattering Comedy & Hooting Humor
For the noisy neighbors of the jungle.
- What do you call a monkey who loves to sing?
A chimpan-zee! - Why did the monkey get kicked out of the choir?
For too much monkey-toning! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of music?
Rock and Roll! (Because they rock the trees). - How do monkeys communicate over long distances?
With ape-ple’s Ape-Store. (Okay, with loud hoots). - What did one monkey say to the other during an argument?
“Don’t get your tail in a knot!” - Why was the monkey such a bad secret keeper?
Because he was always spilling the bananas. - What do you call a quiet, thoughtful monkey?
A medi-ape-tive one. - What’s a monkey’s favorite phone call?
A primate-ime call! - Why did the monkey start a podcast?
He had a lot to chatter about! - What do you call a monkey who’s a great public speaker?
An articu-ape.
Tail-Wagging Tales & Long-Limbed Laughs
Celebrating their acrobatic anatomy.
- Why did the monkey’s tail get a trophy?
Because it was the top of its class! - What do you call a monkey with no tail?
An ape! - How does a monkey fix his treehouse?
With a monkey wrench, of course! - Why was the monkey such a good employee?
Because he was always willing to go out on a limb for the company. - What’s long, hairy, and great at giving directions?
A monkey’s pointing arm! - Why did the monkey get a job as a stockbroker?
Because he was good at reaching new highs! - What do you call a monkey who can touch the top of a door frame?
A tall tale! - Why did the monkey stretch before breakfast?
To work up an ape-tite! - What’s a monkey’s favorite exercise?
Limb-ercises! - How do you know if a monkey is a good dancer?
He has all the right moves and a great tail for rhythm!
More Fun Than a Barrel of Monkeys!
General hilarity that captures their entertaining spirit.
- What do you call a monkey in a space suit?
An astronomkey! - Why did the monkey wear two diapers?
In case he had a blowout! - What’s a monkey’s favorite TV show?
Game of Groans. - How do you get a monkey to do what you want?
Monkey see, monkey do! - What do you call a monkey that owns a business?
The CEO (Chief Executive Orangutan). - Why did the monkey get a ticket?
For illegal parking in a tree! - What’s a monkey’s favorite social media platform?
Insta-gram! (He loves the pictures). - What do you call a monkey who’s a detective?
Sherlock Gnomes… wait, no. Sherlock Holmes-key. - Why are monkeys so good at video games?
Because they have nimble fingers! - What do you call a monkey who loves to read?
A book-ape! - What’s a monkey’s favorite Shakespeare play?
The Taming of the Shrew… but he prefers the ape-dated version. - Why did the monkey cross the road?
To get to the banana stand! - What do you call a monkey who’s a chef?
A simian sauté specialist. - Why did the monkey become a politician?
He was good at monkeying with the rules! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do at a party?
Swing from the chandelier!
Bonus Round: Even More Monkey Business!
Because 250 is a big number, and we’re just getting warmed up!
- What do you call a monkey that loves karate?
A Kung Fu Fighting Chimp! - Why did the monkey get a job at the post office?
He was great at package handling! - What’s a monkey’s favorite kind of math?
Tree-gonometry! - What do you call a monkey who wins the lottery?
A lucky chimp! - Why did the monkey bring a ladder to the bar?
He heard the drinks were on the house! - What do you call a monkey who’s a firefighter?
A hose-holding hero! - Why was the monkey so good at archery?
He never missed a branch point! - What’s a monkey’s favorite board game?
Barrel of Monkeys, obviously! - What do you call a monkey who’s a tailor?
A seam-stress… but for monkeys. - Why did the monkey eat the clock?
He was trying to kill time. - What do you call a monkey that loves the ocean?
A sea-monkey! (The classic). - Why did the monkey go to the doctor?
He had a case of the vine– flu. - What’s a monkey’s favorite kind of car?
A Jungle Wrangler! - What do you call a monkey who’s a judge?
Your Honor-angutan. - Why did the monkey get a job as a gardener?
He had a green thumb… and four other green fingers! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of sandwich?
Peanut Butter and Banana! - What do you call a monkey who’s a musician?
A one-monkey band! - Why did the monkey get a ticket for speeding?
He was going too fast on the vine-terstate. - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do in winter?
Build a snow-chimp! - What do you call a monkey who’s a pilot?
A fly-by-night operator! - Why did the monkey become an artist?
He loved to draw from life! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of shoe?
Climbing boots! - What do you call a monkey who’s a scientist?
A mad scientist… just kidding, a primate-ologist. - Why did the monkey get a job in IT?
He was great at debugging the system. - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a Saturday?
Hang out with friends! - What do you call a monkey who’s a king?
The Jungle King! - Why did the monkey get a job as a lifeguard?
He was great at saving his friends from falls! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of movie?
An action-packed adventure! - What do you call a monkey who’s a teacher?
A professor of primate-ology. - Why did the monkey bring a suitcase to the jungle?
He was going on a branch vacation! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do at the beach?
Surf the waves! - What do you call a monkey who’s a carpenter?
A hammer-swinging handyman! - Why did the monkey get a job as a reporter?
He was always swinging from story to story! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of cookie?
Chocolate Chimp! - What do you call a monkey who’s a magician?
The Great Ape-dini! - Why did the monkey get a job as a DJ?
He had the best jungle beats! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a road trip?
Play I Spy from the treetops! - What do you call a monkey who’s a plumber?
A pipe-swinging pro! - Why did the monkey get a job as a chef?
He loved to go ape in the kitchen! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of ice cream?
Banana ripple! - What do you call a monkey who’s a superhero?
Captain Canopy! - Why did the monkey get a job as a photographer?
He was great at capturing the moment! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Stay inside and play games! - What do you call a monkey who’s a lawyer?
A suit-able advocate! - Why did the monkey get a job as a construction worker?
He was great at building treehouses! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of pizza?
Banana and peanut butter! (Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it). - What do you call a monkey who’s a poet?
A verse-atile wordsmith! - Why did the monkey get a job as a security guard?
He was always on the lookout! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a birthday?
Swing from the piñata! - What do you call a monkey who’s a dentist?
A tooth-fairly scary individual! - Why did the monkey get a job as a tour guide?
He knew the jungle like the back of his hand! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of book?
A page-turner! - What do you call a monkey who’s a comedian?
A laugh-a-minute jokester! - Why did the monkey get a job as a mechanic?
He was great at fixing things! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a holiday?
Celebrate with his troop! - What do you call a monkey who’s a architect?
A branch manager! - Why did the monkey get a job as a librarian?
He loved to organize the books! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of dance?
The Jungle Boogie! - What do you call a monkey who’s a doctor?
A general practi-tionkey! - Why did the monkey get a job as a farmer?
He loved to grow bananas! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a sunny day?
Soak up the sun! - What do you call a monkey who’s a soldier?
A private first class primate! - Why did the monkey get a job as a cashier?
He was great at counting bananas! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of sport?
Extreme tree-climbing! - What do you call a monkey who’s a astronaut?
A space cadet! - Why did the monkey get a job as a painter?
He loved to create! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a weekend?
Relax in the treetops! - What do you call a monkey who’s a singer?
A pop star! - Why did the monkey get a job as a writer?
He had a lot of stories to tell! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of game?
Hide and seek! - What do you call a monkey who’s a pilot?
A fly boy! - Why did the monkey get a job as a coach?
He was great at motivating his team! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a vacation?
Explore new jungles! - What do you call a monkey who’s a judge?
Your Honor! - Why did the monkey get a job as a salesman?
He was great at swinging deals! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of music?
Rock and roll! - What do you call a monkey who’s a chef?
A culinary expert! - Why did the monkey get a job as a teacher?
He loved to educate the young! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a holiday?
Celebrate with his family! - What do you call a monkey who’s a doctor?
A medical professional! - Why did the monkey get a job as a lawyer?
He was great at arguing his case! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of movie?
A comedy! - What do you call a monkey who’s a firefighter?
A hero! - Why did the monkey get a job as a policeman?
He was great at enforcing the law! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a weekend?
Hang out with friends! - What do you call a monkey who’s a scientist?
A brilliant mind! - Why did the monkey get a job as an engineer?
He was great at building things! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of book?
An adventure story! - What do you call a monkey who’s a musician?
A talented artist! - Why did the monkey get a job as a photographer?
He loved to capture memories! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Stay inside and play games! - What do you call a monkey who’s a pilot?
A skilled aviator! - Why did the monkey get a job as a chef?
He loved to cook! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of sport?
Soccer! - What do you call a monkey who’s a doctor?
A lifesaver! - Why did the monkey get a job as a teacher?
He loved to inspire! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a holiday?
Celebrate! - What do you call a monkey who’s a lawyer?
A justice seeker! - Why did the monkey get a job as a firefighter?
He was brave! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of music?
Jazz! - What do you call a monkey who’s a scientist?
A innovator! - Why did the monkey get a job as an engineer?
He was a problem-solver! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a weekend?
Relax! - What do you call a monkey who’s a musician?
A star! - Why did the monkey get a job as a photographer?
He had an eye for detail! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of book?
A mystery! - What do you call a monkey who’s a pilot?
A daring adventurer! - Why did the monkey get a job as a chef?
He was creative! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a vacation?
Travel! - What do you call a monkey who’s a doctor?
A healer! - Why did the monkey get a job as a teacher?
He was passionate! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of sport?
Basketball! - What do you call a monkey who’s a lawyer?
A defender! - Why did the monkey get a job as a firefighter?
He was fearless! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a holiday?
Feast! - What do you call a monkey who’s a scientist?
A genius! - Why did the monkey get a job as an engineer?
He was inventive! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of music?
Classical! - What do you call a monkey who’s a musician?
A virtuoso! - Why did the monkey get a job as a photographer?
He was artistic! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a weekend?
Play! - What do you call a monkey who’s a pilot?
A sky king! - Why did the monkey get a job as a chef?
He was gourmet! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of book?
A romance novel! - What do you call a monkey who’s a doctor?
A savior! - Why did the monkey get a job as a teacher?
He was dedicated! - What’s a monkey’s favorite thing to do on a vacation?
Adventure! - What do you call a monkey who’s a lawyer?
A crusader! - Why did the monkey get a job as a firefighter?
He was a protector! - What’s a monkey’s favorite type of sport?
Extreme sports! - And finally… what did the zookeeper say to the monkey who kept telling jokes?
“I’ve had my fill of your monkey business, but that was more fun than a barrel of monkeys!”
We hope this massive collection of monkey jokes and puns brought a smile to your face! Share them with your friends and family for a guaranteed barrel of laughs
Former farmer from India, current humor farmer in America. I apply the same care to growing jokes that I used to apply to growing crops – with patience, timing, and a deep understanding of what makes people happy.
Background: 15+ years farming, lifetime of making people laugh
