spadefoot toad

Save This Word!

noun

any of several nocturnal toads of the family Pelobatidae, common in the Northern Hemisphere, characterized by a horny, spadelike projection on each hind foot for burrowing under the soil.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of spadefoot toad

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Words nearby spadefoot toad

spackle, SPAD, spade, spadefish, spadefoot, spadefoot toad, spadeful, spade guinea, spadework, spadger, spadiceous

How to use spadefoot toad in a sentence

In May, the head of Guerreros Unidos, Mario Casarrubias Salgado, aka the Beautiful Toad, was arrested.
Mexico’s First Lady of Murder Is on the Lam|Michael Daly|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not every estate owner was responsible; inheritance often entailed no more business sense than a Bertie Wooster or Mr. Toad.
The Sad Fate of ‘Downton Abbey’ Estates: ‘Felling the Ancient Oaks’|Anthony Paletta|June 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It is a combination of the words cesso (toilet) and rospo (toad).
‘Jersey Shore’ Guide to Italian|Jaimie Etkin|August 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In the old days every great man kept a toad-eater; sometimes his functions were highly paid—Wolff's are, I fancy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

The thick torso of a man who squatted like a toad could be seen partly emerging from the shrubs.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
Tressan was ugly as a toad, the most absurd, ridiculous bridegroom that ever led woman to the altar.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
His face was, moreover, mottled with dusky spots, so that he reminded the spectator of a frog or a toad.
Overland|John William De Forest
The venomous old toad made a supreme effort and whispered, "Suppose she should die?"
Overland|John William De Forest