amphibious

[ am-fib-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. living or able to live both on land and in water; belonging to both land and water.
2. Also . capable of operating on both land and water:

   amphibious vehicles.

3. of or relating to military operations by both land and naval forces against the same object, especially to a military attack by troops landed by naval ships.
4. trained or organized to fight, or fighting, on both land and sea:

   amphibious troops.

5. combining two qualities, kinds, traits, etc.; of or having a mixed or twofold nature.

amphibious

/ æmˈfɪbɪəs /

adjective

1. able to live both on land and in the water, as frogs, toads, etc
2. designed for operation on or from both water and land
3. relating to military forces and equipment organized for operations launched from the sea against an enemy shore
4. having a dual or mixed nature

Derived Forms

• amˈphibiousness, noun
• amˈphibiously, adverb

Other Words From

• am·phibi·ous·ly adverb
• am·phibi·ous·ness noun
• nonam·phibi·ous adjective
• nonam·phibi·ous·ly adverb
• nonam·phibi·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphibious¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin amphibius, from Greek amphíbios “living a double life”; amphi-, bio-, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphibious¹

C17: from Greek amphibios, literally: having a double life, from amphi- + bios life

Example Sentences

We are way better and far more experienced in amphibious warfare than any of these nations, and we would fail if we tried to invade them.

From Time

The TRV-150s also deployed Remus underwater vehicles, releasing them into the sea as part of the amphibious exercise.

From Popular-Science

The HH-52 had a hoist for grabbing people, but was also amphibious—it could land on the water.

From Popular-Science

His ground-effect principles became crucial to creating amphibious planes like the Caspian Sea Monster, also known as “ekranoplans” — so much so that the aerodynamic phenomenon powering them was nicknamed Bartini’s Effect.

From Ozy

By then the crew of an amphibious aircraft, an SA-16 Albatross, from Hamilton Air Force Base in California, had spotted what they assumed was the United wreckage, but they couldn’t land for confirmation.

From Time

The Duplex Drive (called DD) was one: an amphibious conversion which could be fitted to a normal Sherman tank.

From The Daily Beast

On June 6, 1944, the greatest amphibious force ever assembled began to fight its way ashore.

From The Daily Beast

Lawmakers have tried to halt the French sale of the Mistral, an amphibious warship, to the Russian Navy.

From The Daily Beast

After the race the Duke and Duchess had a thrilling, bouncy ride across the harbour in an amphibious vehicle.

From The Daily Beast

Prince George was given the coolest kids toy ever today - a miniature amphibious vehicle.

From The Daily Beast

Boatmen and the amphibious harpies who prey upon the traveller reaped a copper and silver harvest of great weight.

From Project Gutenberg

The Nile contributes to fecundity more than other rivers, and among other animals of large bulk, produces the amphibious kind.

From Project Gutenberg

Then happened one of those aquatic incidents which lend an atmosphere all their own to amphibious war.

From Project Gutenberg

"Reminds me of the amphibious exercises we used to have in the Marines," Scotty commented to Rick.

From Project Gutenberg

I will merely say, at this time, that the creature referred to is an amphibious biped and inhabits the ocean near this coast.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• floating
• marine
• maritime