axolotl

noun

ax·​o·​lotl ˈak-sə-ˌlä-tᵊl 

: any of several salamanders (genus Ambystoma especially A. mexicanum and A. tigrinum) of mountain lakes of Mexico and the western U.S. that ordinarily live and breed in the larval form without metamorphosing

Examples of axolotl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Aztec mythology, the axolotl is an aquatic monster. —Anna Lagos, Wired News, 2 Apr. 2025

But, Ralston said, the axolotl’s story is not all plush and cuteness. —Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

In the video, the 6-year-old started spinning and screaming with joy after opening axolotl food as one of her gifts. —Angela Andaloro, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024

Its origins can be traced back thousands of years to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, appearing in Mayan glyphs and documented in 16th-century accounts by Spanish missionaries in Central Mexico, who recorded tamales made with axolotl, tuna cactus (prickly pear), fish, and rabbit, among other variations. —Cat Cardenas, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Nahuatl āxōlōtl

First Known Use

circa 1786, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for axolotl

• volatile
• nonvolatile

Kids Definition

axolotl

noun

ax·​o·​lotl ˈak-sə-ˌlät-əl 

: any of several salamanders of mountain lakes of Mexico and the western U.S. that ordinarily live and breed while keeping the larval form