reptilian

1 of 2

adjective

rep·​til·​ian rep-ˈti-lē-ən 

-ˈtil-yən

1

: resembling or having the characteristics of the reptiles

2

: of or relating to the reptiles

3

: cold-bloodedly treacherous

a reptilian villain

—Theodore Dreiser

reptilian

2 of 2

noun

: reptile sense 2

Examples of reptilian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Set in a future where mankind is warring with a reptilian alien species, Mine starred Dennis Quaid has a human pilot and Louis Gossett Jr. as an alien who crash land on a desolate planet. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024

Her monstrous shape lunges, wedge-head swinging, fixing us with reptilian glare: hard, cold, glittering, driving as a Cadillac, and seeming as emotionless. —Naila Moreira, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024

Noun

The Big Think Interview Your reptilian brain, explained Don’t let your reptile brain tell you what to do. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Things are taken up a notch when the human pilot must take care of the alien’s baby when the reptilian is no longer able. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reptilian

adjective

rep·​til·​ian

rep-ˈtil-ē-ən

: of, relating to, or resembling reptiles