tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl 

: a larval amphibian

specifically : a frog or toad larva that has a rounded body with a long tail bordered by fins and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and that undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult

Illustration of tadpole

• tadpole in stages

Examples of tadpole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, frogs are born as tadpoles before transforming into adult frogs, but axolotls do not go through this change. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025

As each tadpole hatches, a big red number appears on the screen to help children visualize exactly how that number looks in the real world. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 5 Aug. 2025

The Aquarium of the Pacific, working with the National Park Service, released almost 600 tadpoles in streams in the mountains near Los Angeles, the aquarium said in a July 15 news release. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2025

The team hand counted each tadpole then placed them in specialized coolers, each containing about 1,500 tadpoles. —Miami Herald, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taddepol, from tode toad + polle head

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tadpole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl 

: the larva of a frog or toad that has a rounded body and a long tail, breathes with gills, and lives in water

called also pollywog

Etymology

Middle English taddepol "tadpole," from tode "toad" and polle "head"

Word Origin

A young tadpole looks like a large head with a tail. In time it will develop back legs and then front legs. Finally it will lose its tail and become a toad or a frog. Our word for this immature form of a toad or frog comes from Middle English taddepol. This word was a combination of two others, tode, meaning "toad," and polle, meaning "head."