reptilian

1 of 2

adjective

rep·​til·​ian rep-ˈti-lē-ən 

-ˈtil-yən

1

: resembling or having the characteristics of the reptiles

2

: of or relating to the reptiles

3

: cold-bloodedly treacherous

a reptilian villain

—Theodore Dreiser

reptilian

2 of 2

noun

: reptile sense 2

Examples of reptilian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

How did reptilian things that looked something like crocodiles get to the Caribbean islands from South America millions of years ago? —Ashley Belanger – May 16, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025

Layered silver leaf and natural pigments create a textured, almost reptilian finish, designed to give off the sense of the film’s prehistoric creatures. —Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Noun

Before that period, during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, fierce aquatic reptilian predators prowled the oceans, including pliosaurids with jaws over six feet long, toothy thalattosuchia crocodyliforms, and fast, fish-like ichthyosaurians. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025

Watch the standoff 4-foot reptilian predator spotted 'enveloping' hawk turns out to be new snake species Who wins in a fight between 100 men and 1 gorilla? —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reptilian

• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• pavilion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• vermilion
• vermillion
• billion
• million
• pillion
• trillion

Kids Definition

reptilian

adjective

rep·​til·​ian

rep-ˈtil-ē-ən

: of, relating to, or resembling reptiles