alligator

noun

al·​li·​ga·​tor ˈa-lə-ˌgā-tər 

1

: either of two large carnivorous, thick-skinned, long-bodied, aquatic, crocodilian reptiles (Alligator mississippiensis of the southeastern U.S. and A. sinensis of China) that have a broad head with a slightly tapered, long, rounded, U-shaped snout and a special pocket in the upper jaw for reception of the enlarged lower fourth tooth

broadly : crocodilian

2

: leather made from alligator hide

Illustration of alligator

• alligator 1

Examples of alligator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Guest rooms include zebra-print wallpaper and faux alligator-skin panels. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

The initial Crawl hit theaters in 2019 and centered on a woman (Kaya Scodelario) and her father (Barry Pepper) dealing with a swarm of massive alligators after a hurricane damages their Florida home. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Before Walt Disney World transformed Orlando into the theme park capital of the world, visitors came for alligators, citrus groves, botanical gardens, and scenic boat rides. — Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026

Outside of the criminal charges, Peters has been at the center of many controversies, including allegedly shooting a dead alligator in Florida. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish el lagarto the lizard, from el the (from Latin ille that) + lagarto lizard, from Vulgar Latin *lacartus, from Latin lacertus, lacerta — more at lizard

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alligator

• alligator clip
• alligator pear
• alligator snapper
• alligator snapping turtle

Rhymes for alligator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator
• calculator

Kids Definition

alligator

noun

al·​li·​ga·​tor ˈal-ə-ˌgāt-ər 

1

: either of two large short-legged reptiles resembling crocodiles but having a shorter and broader snout

2

: leather made from alligator's hide

Etymology

from Spanish el lagarto "the lizard"