toad

[tohd]

noun

1. any of various tailless amphibians that are close relatives of the frogs in the order Anura and that typically have dry, warty skin and are terrestrial or semiterrestrial in habit.

2. Also called true toad. a toad of the widespread and chiefly terrestrial family Bufonidae, having relatively short hind legs used in hopping and often having at the shoulders swellings containing glands that, along with the skin, secrete an irritating fluid in defense.

3. any of various toadlike animals, as certain lizards.

4. a person or thing as an object of disgust or aversion.

toad

/ təʊd /

noun

1. any anuran amphibian of the class Bufonidae, such as Bufo bufo ( common toad ) of Europe. They are similar to frogs but are more terrestrial, having a drier warty skin

2. any of various similar amphibians of different families

3. a loathsome person

Other Word Forms

• toadish adjective
• toadlike adjective
• toadishness noun
• toadless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of toad¹

before 1000; Middle English tode, Old English tāde, tādi ( g ) e

Word History and Origins

Origin of toad¹

Old English tādige, of unknown origin; see _tadpole

Example Sentences

Tadpoles become toads, and, in tales such as this one, metaphorical toads can be — whether through will, chance, or wishes — transformed into something else.

Read more on Salon

Fish and Wildlife Service’s military conservation partner of the year for its efforts to support the recovery of several species, including the tidewater goby, coastal California gnatcatcher, the arroyo toad and southern California steelhead.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And then he doesn’t get the response he wants and runs out flailing, like a toad that finally got turned back into a man?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He is concerned this has damaged the habitats of the small creatures - such as frogs, toads and insects - that lived inside the wall.

Read more on BBC

These days the trout are few, but you’ll fall asleep listening to the nearby frogs and toads serenading the night from their river homes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frog