pollywog

noun

pol·​ly·​wog ˈpä-lē-ˌwäg 

-ˌwȯg

variants or polliwog

: tadpole

Examples of pollywog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That enabled all those aboard who had never done so — about 2,800 of us pollywogs — to later be initiated into the Ancient Order of the Deep by becoming shellbacks, which for me personally was the greatest morale boost of my entire time in uniform. — Roger Archibald, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026

While pup, cub, chick, and calf are used for a number of baby animals, some species have unique names—such as porcupette or pollywog. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English polwygle, probably from pol poll + wiglen to wiggle

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pollywog

• analog
• analogue
• catalogue
• decalogue
• demagogue
• dialogue
• epilogue
• homologue
• monologue
• pedagogue
• synagogue
• tagalog

Kids Definition

pollywog

noun

pol·​ly·​wog

variants or polliwog

ˈpäl-ē-ˌwäg 

-ˌwȯg

: tadpole