chameleon

cha·me·leon

noun, often attributive \kə-ˈmēl-yən\

Definition of CHAMELEON

1

: any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal Old World lizards with prehensile tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual ability to change the color of the skin

2

a : a person given to often expedient or facile change in ideas or character b : one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance

3

: american chameleon

— cha·me·le·on·ic \-ˌmē-lē-ˈä-nik\ adjective

— cha·me·leon·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of CHAMELEON

1. <at the summer resort he acquired a reputation as a social chameleon—someone who could be whatever his hosts wanted him to be>

Origin of CHAMELEON

Middle English camelion, from Middle French, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek chamaileōn, from chamai on the ground + leōn lion — more at humble

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CHAMELEON

Synonyms: acrobat, chancer [British], opportunist, temporizer, timeserver, trimmer, weathercock

Related Words: egoist, egotist, self-seeker; conniver, machinator, plotter, schemer

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Rhymes with CHAMELEON

aphelion, Aurelian, carnelian, cornelian, Mendelian, parhelion