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frog
1[ frog, frawg ]
/ frɒg, frɔg /
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noun
verb (used without object), frogged, frog·ging.
to hunt and catch frogs.
adjective
(often initial capital letter)Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. French or Frenchlike.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of frog
1First recorded before 1000; Middle English frogge, Old English frogga, frocga; compare dialectal Middle English frosh, Old Norse froskr, Old High German frosk (German Frosch ); defs. 5, 6 of unclear derivation
usage note for frog
The use of the word frog to mean “a French person” is a slur that arose because the French were stereotypically thought of as eating frogs.
OTHER WORDS FROM frog
froglike, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH frog
frog , toadWords nearby frog
Other definitions for frog (2 of 4)
frog2
[ frog, frawg ]
/ frɒg, frɔg /
noun
an ornamental fastening for the front of a coat, consisting of a button and a loop through which it passes.
a sheath suspended from a belt and supporting a scabbard.
Origin of frog
2First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps from Portuguese froco, from Latin floccus “tuft of wool”; see flock2
Other definitions for frog (3 of 4)
frog3
[ frog, frawg ]
/ frɒg, frɔg /
noun
Railroads. a device at the intersection of two tracks to permit the wheels and flanges on one track to cross or branch from the other.
Origin of frog
3An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; of uncertain origin
Other definitions for frog (4 of 4)
frog4
[ frog, frawg ]
/ frɒg, frɔg /
noun Zoology.
a triangular mass of elastic, horny substance in the middle of the sole of the foot of a horse or related animal.
Origin of frog
4First recorded in 1600–10; compare earlier frush in same sense, probably from French fourchette “fork” (see fourchette); presumably identified with dialectal frosh “frog,” hence with frog1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use frog in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for frog (1 of 5)
frog1
/ (frɒɡ) /
noun
any insectivorous anuran amphibian of the family Ranidae, such as Rana temporaria of Europe, having a short squat tailless body with a moist smooth skin and very long hind legs specialized for hopping
any of various similar amphibians of related families, such as the tree frogRelated adjective: batrachian
any spiked or perforated object used to support plant stems in a flower arrangement
a recess in a brick to reduce its weight
a frog in one's throat phlegm on the vocal cords that affects one's speech
verb frogs, frogging or frogged
(intr) to hunt or catch frogs
Word Origin for frog
Old English frogga; related to Old Norse froskr, Old High German forsk
British Dictionary definitions for frog (2 of 5)
frog2
/ (frɒɡ) /
noun
(often plural) a decorative fastening of looped braid or cord, as on the front of a 19th-century military uniform
a loop or other attachment on a belt to hold the scabbard of a sword, etc
music, US and Canadian
- the ledge or ridge at the upper end of the fingerboard of a violin, cello, etc, over which the strings pass to the tuning pegs
- the end of a violin bow that is held by the playerAlso called (in Britain and certain other countries): nut
Word Origin for frog
C18: perhaps ultimately from Latin floccus tuft of hair, flock ²
British Dictionary definitions for frog (3 of 5)
frog3
/ (frɒɡ) /
noun
a tough elastic horny material in the centre of the sole of a horse's foot
Word Origin for frog
C17: of uncertain origin
British Dictionary definitions for frog (4 of 5)
frog4
/ (frɒɡ) /
noun
a grooved plate of iron or steel placed to guide train wheels over an intersection of railway lines
Word Origin for frog
C19: of uncertain origin; perhaps a special use of frog 1
British Dictionary definitions for frog (5 of 5)
Frog
Froggy (ˈfrɒɡɪ)
/ (frɒɡ) /
noun plural Frogs or Froggies
a derogatory word for a French person
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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