noun
Uncommon
newt
NYOOT
Newt (noun) means a small amphibian, related to salamanders, that lives partly in water as an adult and has a slender body and tail. Example: “They spotted a newt sunning itself on a rock beside the pond.”
noun
1
A small amphibian, related to salamanders, that lives partly in water as an adult and has a slender body and tail.
"They spotted a newt sunning itself on a rock beside the pond."
verb
1
To magically transform someone into a newt (used humorously, notably in fiction).
""They turned me into a newt!" he complained, before adding, "I got better.""
How to use newt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small pond-dwelling lizard-like amphibian.
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Word forms
- Plural
- newts
- Third person singular
- newts
- Past tense
- newted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They spotted a _____ sunning itself on a rock beside the pond.
Etymology
Formed by a historical misdivision: Middle English "an ewte" was mistakenly split as "a newt" — the same kind of shift that gave us "a nickname" from "an ekename."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “newt” mean?
The word “newt” means a small amphibian, related to salamanders, that lives partly in water as an adult and has a slender body and tail. In plain terms, a small pond-dwelling lizard-like amphibian.
How do you pronounce “newt”?
“Newt” is pronounced NYOOT (/ˈn(j)ut/ in IPA).
How do you use “newt” in a sentence?
Here is “newt” used in a sentence: “They spotted a newt sunning itself on a rock beside the pond.”
What is another word for “newt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “newt” include ask, askard, eft and salamander.
What part of speech is “newt”?
Depending on how it is used, “newt” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “newt” come from?
The word “newt” comes from Middle English. Formed by a historical misdivision: Middle English "an ewte" was mistakenly split as "a newt" — the same kind of shift that gave us "a nickname" from "an ekename.".
Is “newt” a common word?
“Newt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “newt” have?
“Newt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small amphibian, related to salamanders, that lives partly in water as an adult and has a slender body and tail.
