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

This season, Roseberry continued his mission with a haute couture collection that featured replica reptilian textures, protruding tusk breasts, scorpion bustiers and a translucent two-piece skirt suit rendered in hyperreal blowfish scales. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026

This difference is likely a reflection of evolutionary history, habitat and the constraints of reptilian physiology, as ecology often intersects with a species’ physiology. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026

Noun

But wasn’t this reptilian oddball simply too unsympathetic a part to catapult young Chalamet to Oscar glory? —Joe Reid, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025

Social media has been flooded with images of frozen iguanas falling from trees, as their cold-blooded reptilian systems struggle to generate body heat and cope with the cold temperatures. —Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 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