axolotl
3 synonyms for axolotl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A critically endangered salamander, Ambystoma mexicanum, native to the high lakes of Mexico.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Mexican salamander
Mexican walking fish
water monster
How to use axolotl
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a pet axolotl
wild axolotls
an axolotl tank
critically endangered axolotls
It is a neutral, everyday word, at home in both scientific and casual writing.
Etymology
Axolotl was borrowed directly into English from Classical Nahuatl āxōlōtl, keeping its original spelling. In Nahuatl the word is generally understood as a compound of ātl, water, and xōlōtl, male servant.
Full origin of axolotl →Frequently asked questions
What is an axolotl?
It is a type of salamander from Mexico, Ambystoma mexicanum, unusual because it typically keeps its larval, water-dwelling form throughout its life.
Where does the word axolotl come from?
It was taken into English from Classical Nahuatl āxōlōtl, a word thought to combine the elements for water and servant.
Are axolotls endangered?
Yes, wild axolotls are classed as critically endangered.
