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

Explanation

Look closely at that branch or leaf — you might be able to spot a chameleon hiding. These little lizards are able to change color and adapt to their backgrounds, blending in to hide from predators. The history of the word chameleon goes back to the Greek word khamaileōn, which meant "lion on the ground," maybe because of the creature’s somewhat scary face, or maybe because the ridge around the creature’s head looks something like a lion’s mane. In Old French it became chaméléon, which stuck. Today there are two acceptable spellings, chameleon and chamaeleon. We often use the word today to refer to a person who is changeable or inconsistent.

Example Sentences

“Nobody wants to be the next museum hit,” said Amotz Brandes, who runs a California security consulting and training firm, Chameleon Group.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

"Chameleon eyes are like security cameras, moving in all directions," explained Juan Daza, associate professor at Sam Houston State University and author of a new study describing the trait.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2025

And by 2014, coffee stalwarts Starbucks, Chameleon and La Colombe had conquered the market.

From Salon • Oct. 17, 2023

For the simple reason that the same painter-contractor who did her house — Joe Nicoletti from Chameleon Paintworks, she is quick to note — also did her shop.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2023

Chameleon vanishes every time Henrietta glares at her.

From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones