gecko

American  

[gek-oh] / ˈgɛk oʊ /

noun

plural

geckos, geckoes

1. any of numerous small, mostly nocturnal tropical lizards of the family Gekkonidae, usually having toe pads that can cling to smooth surfaces: the largest species, Gekko gecko, is sometimes kept as a pet.

---

gecko British  

/ ˈɡɛkəʊ /

noun

1. any small insectivorous terrestrial lizard of the family Gekkonidae, of warm regions. The digits have adhesive pads, which enable these animals to climb on smooth surfaces

---

Etymology

Origin of gecko

1705–15; < New Latin gekko < Dutch; origin uncertain; alleged to be a Malay word imitative of the lizard's call.

Example Sentences

Her favorite is their outdoor table, which Greene crafted from leftover teak and inlaid with gecko leaves, a nod to her late mother’s favorite plant.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025

The Van Gogh's starry dwarf gecko can reach 3.4 cm in length, with light blue spots on its back as well as a yellow head and forebody.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2024

"This means that the gecko line made it to North America nearly 100 million years before the prior known earliest record."

From Science Daily • Nov. 29, 2023

It’s also famous for quirky TV ads and its current mascot, a gecko with an English accent named Martin.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 19, 2023

So instead I head aft and make my way like a gecko up the bulkhead toward the captain’s ready room, squeezing myself as flat as I can to slip in under the door.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman