lizard

noun

liz·​ard ˈli-zərd 

1

: any of a suborder (Lacertilia) of reptiles distinguished from the snakes by a fused inseparable lower jaw, a single temporal opening, two pairs of well differentiated functional limbs which may be lacking in burrowing forms, external ears, and eyes with movable lids

broadly : any relatively long-bodied reptile (such as a crocodile or dinosaur) with legs and tapering tail

2

: leather made from lizard skin

Examples of lizard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Read more Animals Dinosaurs: Groundbreaking Revelation Settles 30-Year-Old Debate Specialized Dog Breeds Are Not So Special After All Sharks are not the only species known to undergo parthenogenesis; the phenomenon has also been recorded in species of bird, fish, lizard and snake. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

Parthenogenesis can occur in sharks, lizards and snakes. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2025

The home’s only inhabitants now are the small green lizards that dart up and down its gray concrete walls. —Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025

In fact, their diet includes two invasive species that threaten South Florida’s environment: curly tail lizards and Brazilian red pepper seeds. —Samantha Dee, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English liserd, from Anglo-French lesarde, from Latin lacerta

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lizard

• beaded lizard
• horned lizard
• lizard's tail
• lounge lizard
• monitor lizard
• thunder lizard

Kids Definition

lizard

noun

liz·​ard ˈliz-ərd 

: any of a group of reptiles that can be told apart from the related snakes by their lower jaw which has the two halves joined and inseparable, by ears which are outside the body, by eyes with movable lids, and usually by two pairs of functional limbs