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

There are alligators aplenty in this area, and rumor has it that one likes to sun near the cottages in the high 20s—I'll leave it up to you to decide if that's a pro or a con. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

The Willow Pond Nature Trail loops around freshwater ponds where wildlife, including alligators, tend to frequent. —Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026

The end result is alligators in yards, under cars, stuck in drainage pipes, and paddling around backyard pools like the one belonging to 73-year-old Leipold, a retired journalist. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026

The watch is paired with a dark-brown alligator leather strap. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 16 May 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"