When a monkey appears in your dreams, consider where it is and what it is doing. Note if it is of an unusual color or size. Anything out of the ordinary should be taken into consideration. Also, note the monkey’s general demeanor.

Common symbols
Monkey in a cage. Containing one’s inner playful, mischievous self.
Monkey in a zoo. Feeling as though your attempts at humor is being put on display while being contained.
Lonely or crying monkey. Dreamer’s playful self is suffering.
Playful monkey. Happy, simple and fun times at hand.
Several monkeys. A group of mischievous or problematic, unproductive people in your life.
Monkey eating a banana. Nurturing your sense of play. Contentment. Irresponsible actions will still provide.
Monkey swinging in a tree. Avoiding responsibilities or being bothered by a problem (“something hanging over your head.”)
Talking monkey. Reflect on what the monkey is saying. Otherwise, be sure your words are not careless and causing trouble.

Common monkey idioms
“A barrel of monkeys.” Riotous fun or a lot of unmanageable mischief and nonsense.
“Monkey business.” Getting involved in things one shouldn’t be doing.
“Monkeying around.” Fooling around and not getting to work.
“Making a monkey out of someone.” Making a fool out of someone.
“If you pay peanuts, you’ll get monkeys.” This means that when you don’t offer decent wages, you’ll attract less skilled or less capable employees.
“There’s a monkey on my back.” Something is hindering you or causing annoying troubles.
“I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.” Implies that something hard to believe has just happened.
“Grease monkey.” And old and derogatory reference to auto mechanics implying that someone who doesn’t have much smarts must resort to manual labor such as working on cars. Of course, this is untrue as today auto mechanics is a skilled trade.

Primate types and differences
The name “ape” refers to a superfamily of primates, excluding humans and including monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees and gibbons. When it comes to dream meanings, here are possible differences.
Monkey. Playful, mischievous. Not taking things seriously. Non-serious obstacles that delay you.
Gorilla. False bravado. Sexual prowess. Overbearing. Big but surmountable challenge.
Orangutan. Intelligence. Solitary rather than opposite sex coupling. Mother-child bond.
Chimpanzee. Social, status-conscious. Manipulative, aggressive, intelligent. Sense of humor: slapstick, low-brow type of humor.