reptilian
Americanadjective
-
belonging or pertaining to the Reptilia.
-
groveling, debased, or despicable; contemptible.
-
mean; treacherous; harmful.
noun
adjective
-
of, relating to, resembling, or characteristic of reptiles
-
mean or treacherous; contemptible
reptilian behaviour
noun
Etymology
Origin of reptilian
1840–50; < New Latin Reptili ( a ) reptiles (plural of rēptile, neuter of Late Latin rēptilis; see reptile) + -an
Explanation
Use the adjective reptilian to describe a reptile: your pet iguana, while also sweet and possibly cuddly, is definitely reptilian. Crocodiles, lizards, and turtles are all reptiles, and you can therefore describe all of them as reptilian. A reptilian animal is not a mammal or a bird, and it is most likely cold-blooded and egg laying. You can also use the word reptilian to describe something — or someone — that reminds you of a reptile. The Latin root is reptilis, which means "creeping or crawling."
Vocabulary lists containing reptilian
Spider-Man's Word Web
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
And Then There Were None
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Animal Adjectives
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
This is an emphatically reptilian portrayal of a TV personality.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
Penn appeared as a reptilian lawyer in the 1993 thriller "Carlito's Way," before saying he was retiring from acting to direct, and making 1995's "The Crossing Guard" with Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston.
From Barron's ● Mar. 16, 2026
Byrne, now an Oscar nominee for the same role, found herself having to explain that parenthood almost always comes with scheduling conflicts and answer follow-up questions about the reptilian addition to her family.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026
"I have been working on the evolution of reptilian heads and noses since my master's degree," he said.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026
And those green eyes with reptilian pupils, not to mention his aeris zoom that lets him hover and glide through the air.
From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
