gator

[ gey-ter ]

/ ˈgeɪ tər /

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Definition of gator

noun

Southern U.S. Informal. alligator.

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Also ga·ter, ’ga·ter .

Origin of gator

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; shortened form

Words nearby gator

Gatineau, gating, Gatlinburg, Gatling, Gatling gun, gator, Gatorade, GATT, gat-toothed, Gatun, Gatun Lake

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use gator in a sentence

This is dangerous work for the search crews as they are wading through gator and snake infested swamps and flooded hiking and biking trails.
FBI asks public for help finding Gabby Petito’s fiance after autopsy shows she died by homicide|Timothy Bella, Kim Bellware|September 22, 2021|Washington Post
The Tea Party candidate also released his first TV ad, "Gator."
Palin Backs Alligator Taming Senate Candidate|Olivia Nuzzi|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
(Giveaway movie moment: the nine-foot gator that washed into a Tampa swimming pool).
Bill McKibben on the Global Warming Hoax|Bill McKibben|July 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Translation: Talk to Ya Later, Ta Ta for Now, and Later, Gator.
Should This Woman's Books Be Banned?|Abigail Pesta|April 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Almost no one comes to ride the airboats or stare at the leathery monsters in the gator pit.
Great Weekend Reads|The Daily Beast|February 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They get a chunk of lead right through one eye and usually that's the end of Mr. 'Gator.
The Pony Rider Boys on the Blue Ridge|Frank Gee Patchin
"Indeed I would," answered the double-jointed tail 'gator, who could wobble his flippers both ways.
Uncle Wiggily in the Woods|Howard R. Garis
The 'gator was taken with a "fly" tied on a shark-hook, the hackled body being a squirrel's tail, with wings of a small seagull.
Fishing With The Fly|Charles F. Orvis and Others
She gave Mrs. 'Gator twenty beautiful white eggs, and Mrs. 'Gator was perfectly happy.
Mother West Wind "Where" Stories|Thornton W. Burgess
Then one day Mrs. 'Gator crawled out on land and right away discovered what those legs were for.
Mother West Wind "Where" Stories|Thornton W. Burgess

British Dictionary definitions for gator

gator

gater

/ (ˈɡeɪtə) /

noun

mainly US informal an alligator

Word Origin for gator

C19

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012