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

The frogs, just past the tadpole stage, were bread in captivity. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

One little alien spews tiny tadpole-looking critters into a water bottle, later swigged down by junior engineer Malachite (Jamie Bisping). —Noel Murray, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025

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

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."