crocodile
Americannoun
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crocodiles
plural
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any of several crocodilians of the genus Crocodylus, found in sluggish waters and swamps of the tropics.
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any reptile of the order Crocodylia; crocodilian.
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the tanned skin or hide of these animals, used in the manufacture of luggage and accessories, as belts, shoes, and wallets.
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Chiefly British. a file of people, especially schoolchildren, out for a walk.
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Archaic. a person who makes a hypocritical show of sorrow.
noun
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any large tropical reptile, such as C. niloticus ( African crocodile ), of the family Crocodylidae: order Crocodilia (crocodilians). They have a broad head, tapering snout, massive jaws, and a thick outer covering of bony plates
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any other reptile of the order Crocodilia; a crocodilian
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leather made from the skin of any of these animals
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( as modifier )
crocodile shoes
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informal a line of people, esp schoolchildren, walking two by two
Usage
What’s the difference between crocodiles and alligators? Crocodiles and alligators are both large, lizardlike reptiles known for their large, powerful jaws and sharp teeth, their long tails, and their thick, plated skin. However, you can tell them apart through some physical differences. Crocodiles are often lighter in color and have a narrower snout. Alligators are typically darker and have broader snout. When they’re in the water, crocodiles typically hold the top of their head out of the water. In contrast, alligators typically lurk under the surface, with only their eyes visible. When alligators’ jaws are closed, only their upper teeth are visible, but both the upper and lower teeth of crocodiles are visible when their jaws are closed. Crocodiles live in tropical areas of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. Alligators mainly live in the southeastern U. S. and eastern China. The only place that wild alligators and crocodiles have been documented as inhabiting the same area is in south Florida. Taxonomically speaking, crocodiles and alligators are not only different species, they also belong to a different genus (crocodiles belong to the genus Crocodylus, while alligators belong to the genus Alligator). Still, they both belong to the order Crocodylia, which means they can both be called crocodilians. Here’s an example of crocodile and alligator used correctly in a sentence. Example: Florida is known for its population of alligators, although a few crocodiles also live in the extreme south. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between crocodiles and alligators.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of crocodile
1250–1300; < Latin crocodīlus < Greek krokódeilos crocodile, originally a kind of lizard, said to be equivalent to krók ( ē ) pebble + -o- -o- + drîlos, dreîlos worm (though attested only in sense “penis”), with r lost by dissimilation replacing Middle English cocodrille < Medieval Latin cocodrilus
Explanation
A crocodile is an enormous reptile that has a long mouth lined with sharp teeth. Crocodiles live in and out of the water, preying on fish, birds, lizards, and mammals, snapping them between their powerful jaws. Although crocodiles and alligators are related, they're from separate biological families and look slightly different from each other. Crocodiles have narrower heads and more pointed snouts — and even when their mouths are closed, you can still see all 80 of their teeth. They're carnivores that feed on everything from molluscs to large mammals, including buffalo, deer, and wildebeest. Crocodile has a Greek root, krokódilos, or "lizard."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The national water agency said it was alerted to a crocodile sighting in Pandan Reservoir on 20 August.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
Some watched models carry crocodile handbags—revived from a 1920s design and finished with clasps featuring onyx—down the runway at Prada’s womenswear show last week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
"I was super excited because I thought it was going to be a miniature crocodile, something brand new," he said.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Some of its guests watched models carry crocodile handbags down the runway.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
The pilot explained to me that, somewhere in that muddy expanse below us, a group of Indonesian crocodile hunters had recently come across a group of New Guinea nomads.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Instead, Austronaga was closely related to land-dwelling archosaurs, the broader reptile group that includes crocodiles and dinosaurs.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 29, 2026
Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris played down the issue of crocodiles last year.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
Asked specifically about crocodiles, New Zealand's Wickham told the BBC the primary concern was ensuring the "fairest possible course" for rowers.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
A new study suggests that saltwater crocodiles born or raised in captivity may not try to return to their breeding centers once they are released into the wild.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
She knew the trick for summoning crocodiles up from the Nile.
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
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