Illustration of toad
- toad 1
1
: any of numerous anuran amphibians (especially family Bufonidae) that are distinguished from the related frogs by being more terrestrial in habit though returning to water to lay their eggs, by having a build that is squatter and shorter with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry, and warty rather than smooth and moist
2
: a contemptible person or thing
Examples of toad in a Sentence
He's such a mean little toad.
that miserable toad is lucky to have even a single friend
Recent Examples on the Web
Students are asked to examine how the speaker and the old man feel about the toads and explain the difference using evidence from the poem.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
The Swarm of Life by Shane Gross Beneath a layer of lily pads covering the water like a blanket, a legion of western toad tadpoles swims toward the surface of Canada’s Cedar Lake to feed.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024
Houses and Parties chocolate toad $66 HOUSES AND PARTIES
Chocolate quail eggs by Knipschildt Chocolatier.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025
Amphibians such as frogs and toads thrive in the moisture-rich soil, while reptiles like garter snakes patrol the forest floor.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
The Swarm of Life by Shane Gross Beneath a layer of lily pads covering the water like a blanket, a legion of western toad tadpoles swims toward the surface of Canada’s Cedar Lake to feed.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024
Houses and Parties chocolate toad $66 HOUSES AND PARTIES
Chocolate quail eggs by Knipschildt Chocolatier.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025
Amphibians such as frogs and toads thrive in the moisture-rich soil, while reptiles like garter snakes patrol the forest floor.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toad
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Cite this Entry
“Toad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toad. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
toad
noun
: any of numerous tailless leaping amphibians that lay their eggs in water and are distinguished from the related frogs by living on land more often, by having a build that is shorter and thicker with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry and warty rather than smooth and moist
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