iguana

noun

igua·​na i-ˈgwä-nə 

: any of various large chiefly herbivorous usually green or brownish tropical American lizards (family Iguanidae, the iguana family) that have a serrated dorsal crest and large dewlap

broadly : any of various large lizards

Illustration of iguana

Examples of iguana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With tegus, iguana, and several species of semi-aquatic monitors, Florida is under a big-lizard invasion. —Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025

The coldest air of the season is expected across Florida on Saturday morning with even the potential for falling iguanas! —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

Buyers will find small tiger and iguana graphics on the windows of the rear doors. —Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Immobilized iguanas appear to be sleeping or dead but will wake up and move normally when temperatures warm. —Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Arawak & Carib iwana

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing iguana

• marine iguana

Rhymes for iguana

• asana
• chicana
• liana
• madonna
• maulana
• nirvana
• purana
• sadhana
• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna

Kids Definition

iguana

noun

igua·​na i-ˈgwän-ə 

: any of various large plant-eating tropical American lizards that have a ridge of tall scales along the middle of the back and loose skin hanging below the neck