frog
6 synonyms for frog, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small tailless amphibian with long hind legs built for jumping and swimming.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use frog
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
frog in your throat
leap like a frog
The nickname for a French person is an ethnic slur in some contexts — avoid it.
Etymology
From Old English frocga, going back to a Proto-West Germanic word for the animal.
Full origin of frog →Frequently asked questions
What does “frog” mean?
The word “frog” means a small tailless amphibian with long hind legs built for jumping and swimming. In plain terms, mainly the small jumping amphibian; also a part of a violin bow, or (offensive slang) a French person.
How do you pronounce “frog”?
“Frog” is pronounced frog (/fɹɒɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “frog” in a sentence?
Here is “frog” used in a sentence: “A frog leapt into the pond as we walked past.”
What part of speech is “frog”?
Depending on how it is used, “frog” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “frog” come from?
The word “frog” comes from Old English. From Old English frocga, going back to a Proto-West Germanic word for the animal.
Is “frog” a common word?
“Frog” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “frog” have?
“Frog” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small tailless amphibian with long hind legs built for jumping and swimming.
What is the difference between a "frog" and a "toad"?
Frogs typically have smooth, moist skin and long legs built for jumping, and they usually live in or near water. Toads tend to have drier, bumpier skin and shorter legs and can live farther from water; scientifically, all toads are actually a type of frog.
Why do knitters say "frog" when they unravel stitches?
In knitting, to "frog" means to rip out stitches in order to fix a mistake or reuse the yarn. The term is commonly said to come from the phrase "rip it, rip it," which resembles a frog's croak.
What is the "frog" on a violin bow?
The "frog" is the part at the lower end of a violin or similar bow that the player grips and that holds the horsehair in place. Turning a small screw in the frog tightens or loosens the tension of the hair.
