gator
Americannoun
-
gators
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of gator
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; shortened form
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In a league where job security these days ranks somewhere between knife juggler and gator wrangler, the 44-year-old Spaniard is one of only three managers even hired before 2024.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
"I can say with confidence that I won't meet another gator like Claude in my lifetime. I'll miss him terribly," Krol said.
From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026
The “Punch-Drunk Love” actor and comedian on Wednesday shared a playful tribute honoring his reptilian co-star who died Sunday of old age at a gator farm in southern Colorado.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025
The gator is 12 feet long and weighs about 600 pounds, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 22, 2023
He heard the gator following him over and began scrambling as fast as he could on his hands and knees along the water.
From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith
Florida has about 1.3 million alligators, and it is a crime to kill them, although the state euthanizes some 7,000 gators a year to reduce the risk of attacks on humans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
The tourists couldn’t believe they were out in the wild with the gators; they crouched down and posed for selfies next to them.
From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2025
Jennifer Dean told 10 Tampa Bay: "It's crazy. My kids walk by there all the time. So it's really scary. I've seen four or five-feet gators but nothing that big."
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2023
Since then hundreds of gators have been relocated from the area.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 21, 2023
He shined his headlamp all around, looking for gators, then sat down on the bank to catch his breath.
From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
