noun
Uncommon
reptile
REHP-tyl
Reptile (noun) means a cold-blooded, scaly, egg-laying animal such as a snake, lizard, or turtle. Example: “The zoo's reptile house is home to several species of snake.”
noun
1
A cold-blooded, scaly, egg-laying animal such as a snake, lizard, or turtle.
"The zoo's reptile house is home to several species of snake."
"Turtles are reptiles that can live for over a hundred years."
2
A despicable or repulsive person.
"He called his ex a lying reptile in front of everyone."
How to use reptile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA scaly, cold-blooded animal like a snake or lizard; informally, an insult for a nasty person.
Common pairings
reptile species
cold-blooded reptile
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Word forms
- Plural
- reptiles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The zoo's _____ house is home to several species of snake.
Etymology
From Latin reptilis, "creeping," from repere ("to creep") — describing how these animals move low to the ground.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for reptile
See all rhymes for reptile →Frequently asked questions
What does “reptile” mean?
The word “reptile” means a cold-blooded, scaly, egg-laying animal such as a snake, lizard, or turtle. In plain terms, a scaly, cold-blooded animal like a snake or lizard; informally, an insult for a nasty person.
How do you pronounce “reptile”?
“Reptile” is pronounced REHP-tyl (/ˈɹɛp.taɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “reptile” in a sentence?
Here is “reptile” used in a sentence: “The zoo's reptile house is home to several species of snake.”
What is another word for “reptile”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reptile” include creeper.
What part of speech is “reptile”?
“Reptile” is a noun.
Where does the word “reptile” come from?
The word “reptile” comes from Latin. From Latin reptilis, "creeping," from repere ("to creep") — describing how these animals move low to the ground.
Is “reptile” a common word?
“Reptile” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reptile” have?
“Reptile” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cold-blooded, scaly, egg-laying animal such as a snake, lizard, or turtle.
