noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

crocodile

KRO-kuh-dyl

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Crocodile (noun) means a large predatory reptile with a long snout and powerful jaws that lives in rivers and lakes in warm climates. Example: “A crocodile basked motionless on the muddy riverbank.”

noun

A large predatory reptile with a long snout and powerful jaws that lives in rivers and lakes in warm climates.

"A crocodile basked motionless on the muddy riverbank."

"Tourists were warned not to swim where crocodiles had been spotted."

British: a long line of people, especially schoolchildren, walking in pairs.

"The class walked to the museum in a neat crocodile."

How to use crocodile

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA large reptile similar to an alligator, known for its long jaws and thick armored skin.

Common mistake

Crocodiles have narrower, V-shaped snouts than alligators, which have broader, U-shaped ones — a common point of confusion.

Easily confused with

alligator →

Common pairings

crocodile tears a crocodile-infested river crocodile skin

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: crocodiles
Third person singular: crocodiles
Past tense: crocodiled

Test yourself on “crocodile” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ basked motionless on the muddy riverbank.

Etymology

From Old French cocodril, ultimately from Ancient Greek krokódeilos; the modern spelling was later reshaped to match the Latin and Greek forms more closely.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for crocodile

file mile tile pile wile vile rile Nile bile Chile smile while

See all rhymes for crocodile →

Frequently asked questions

What does “crocodile” mean?

The word “crocodile” means a large predatory reptile with a long snout and powerful jaws that lives in rivers and lakes in warm climates. In plain terms, a large reptile similar to an alligator, known for its long jaws and thick armored skin.

How do you pronounce “crocodile”?

“Crocodile” is pronounced KRO-kuh-dyl (/ˈkɹɑkədaɪl/ in IPA).

How do you use “crocodile” in a sentence?

Here is “crocodile” used in a sentence: “A crocodile basked motionless on the muddy riverbank.”

What part of speech is “crocodile”?

“Crocodile” is a noun.

Where does the word “crocodile” come from?

The word “crocodile” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French cocodril, ultimately from Ancient Greek krokódeilos; the modern spelling was later reshaped to match the Latin and Greek forms more closely.

Is “crocodile” a common word?

“Crocodile” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “crocodile” have?

“Crocodile” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large predatory reptile with a long snout and powerful jaws that lives in rivers and lakes in warm climates.

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