lizard

noun

liz·​ard ˈli-zərd 

1

: any of a suborder (Lacertilia) of reptiles distinguished from the snakes by a fused inseparable lower jaw, a single temporal opening, two pairs of well differentiated functional limbs which may be lacking in burrowing forms, external ears, and eyes with movable lids

broadly : any relatively long-bodied reptile (such as a crocodile or dinosaur) with legs and tapering tail

2

: leather made from lizard skin

Examples of lizard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to the eel pit, Tobler cares for dozens of other animals, including tortoises, lizards and an endangered Australian lungfish. —Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 Sep. 2025

This next bit of news might have The Parent Trap fans jumping around more than Meredith Blake with a lizard on her face. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025

And its distinct features show why the suborder Lepidosauria – which today includes lizards, snakes and the tuatara – went on to become so successful. —New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2025

Inside, all of animal ambassadors, from the bunnies to the birds to the lizards and snakes, all have new safe and spacious enclosures with lots of enrichment. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English liserd, from Anglo-French lesarde, from Latin lacerta

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lizard

• beaded lizard
• horned lizard
• lizard's tail
• lounge lizard
• monitor lizard
• thunder lizard

Rhymes for lizard

• blizzard
• gizzard
• izard
• wizard

Kids Definition

lizard

noun

liz·​ard ˈliz-ərd 

: any of a group of reptiles that can be told apart from the related snakes by their lower jaw which has the two halves joined and inseparable, by ears which are outside the body, by eyes with movable lids, and usually by two pairs of functional limbs