reptile

1 of 2

noun

rep·​tile ˈrep-ˌtī(-ə)l 

-tᵊl

1

: an animal that crawls or moves on its belly (such as a snake) or on small short legs (such as a lizard)

2

: any of a class (Reptilia) of cold-blooded, air-breathing, usually egg-laying vertebrates that include the alligators and crocodiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, and extinct related forms (such as dinosaurs and pterosaurs) and that have a body typically covered with scales or bony plates and a bony skeleton with a single occipital condyle, a distinct quadrate bone usually immovably articulated with the skull, and ribs attached to the sternum

3

: a groveling or despised person

reptile

2 of 2

adjective

: characteristic of a reptile : reptilian

Synonyms

Noun

• dog
• bastard
• clown
• jerk
• snake
• skunk
• beast
• joker
• toad
• rat

Examples of reptile in a Sentence

Noun

He called the governor's top aide a reptile.

the actor plays a total reptile who's somehow still a hit with the ladies

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The rare reptile interruption required professional snake catcher Mark Pelley to retrieve the animal from the plane’s cargo hold. —Colson Thayer, People.com, 10 July 2025

The often elaborate enclosure requirements for reptiles and amphibians can make initial setup expensive. —Samantha Winegarner, Mercury News, 8 July 2025

Adjective

For him, a flashy reptile leather jacket was worn with a mesh top and jeans, but there was also a dark blue double-breasted suit for more formal business occasions. —Colleen Barry, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2022

Currently, it can be seen in the aquatic and reptile center. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English reptil, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French reptile (feminine), from Late Latin reptile (neuter), from neuter of reptilis creeping, from Latin reptus, past participle of repere to crawl; akin to Lithuanian rėplioti to crawl

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1607, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reptile

1 of 2 noun

rep·​tile ˈrep-tᵊl 

-ˌtīl

: any of a group of cold-blooded air-breathing vertebrates (as snakes, lizards, turtles, and alligators) that usually lay eggs and have skin covered with scales or bony plates

reptile

2 of 2 adjective

: characteristic of a reptile : reptilian