chameleon

American  

[kuh-mee-lee-uhn, -meel-yuhn] / kəˈmi li ən, -ˈmil yən /

noun

1. any of numerous Old World lizards of the family Chamaeleontidae, characterized by the ability to change the color of their skin, very slow locomotion, and a projectile tongue.

2. any of several American lizards capable of changing the color of the skin, especially Anolis carolinensis American chameleon, of the southeastern U.S.

3. a changeable, fickle, or inconstant person.

4. (initial capital letter)  Chamaeleon.

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chameleon British  

/ kəˌmiːlɪˈɒnɪk, kəˈmiːlɪən /

noun

1. any lizard of the family Chamaeleontidae of Africa and Madagascar, having long slender legs, a prehensile tail and tongue, and the ability to change colour

2. a changeable or fickle person

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Other Word Forms

• chameleon-like adjective
• chameleonic adjective
• chameleonlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of chameleon

1300–50; variant of chamaeleon < Latin < Greek chamailéōn, equivalent to chamaí on the ground, dwarf (akin to humus ) + léōn lion; replacing Middle English camelion < Middle French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Although chameleons' shifting gaze is easy to see, the internal structures enabling it have remained unclear.

From Science Daily

We view ourselves as chameleons, because we want to be ourselves, but we want to play to the audience.

From Los Angeles Times

“About his style, he said that he was like a chameleon, changing completely from one moment to another, from one situation to another,” Khondji, 69, recalls via Zoom.

From Los Angeles Times

“I really wanted Julian to feel like a chameleon because, as an actor, it’s just so much fun to play characters who are contradicting and complex,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

The camouflage from his status as a commercial chameleon means that "despite the clear L and Not Like Us becoming a defining moment in rap history, Drake keeps moving", says Borkowski.

From BBC