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:
"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 AI tool shares its name, Claude, with a 30-year-old albino gator that’s become a local celebrity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2025
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, estimated to be 6 feet long, was corralled by responding Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission personnel.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 1, 2023
Thought she was being pulled down by a gator.
From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston
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
It’s illegal in Georgia for people to keep alligators without a special license or permit, and the state Department of Natural Resources says it doesn’t grant permits for pet gators.
From Seattle Times ● May 1, 2024
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
“Egg-laying animals like turtles and gators existed way before chickens. Therefore, eggs came first.”
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
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