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

In 2012, he returned to politics as leader of Bhumjaithai, a party that has proved something of a political chameleon, joining several government coalitions.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Not to belabor the reptile references, but Byrne is something of a creative chameleon, moving easily from drama to comedy to horror, film to television to stage and back again.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

David was a political chameleon who nimbly navigated a volatile epoch while remaining an artist of the highest professionalism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Among them is the so called Pinocchio chameleon, a reptile described for nearly 150 years.

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2025

Geyer found Holmes to be smooth and glib, a social chameleon.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson