tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl 

: a larval amphibian

specifically : a frog or toad larva that has a rounded body with a long tail bordered by fins and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and that undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult

Illustration of tadpole

• tadpole in stages

Examples of tadpole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The animals are about 1.5 inches long, but the males’ bare backs can hold tadpoles carefully positioned on the skin as they are moved between shallow puddles. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025

The ranch is one of three areas identified for reintroduction on the island’s northern coast, where artificial ponds receive some 15,000 to 20,000 tadpoles annually. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025

And, as a former tadpole, believe me, losing your tail is a pretty big deal, so, go Terps! —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2025

One of the most recent is Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, which welcomed its first batch of tadpoles late last summer. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taddepol, from tode toad + polle head

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tadpole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl 

: the larva of a frog or toad that has a rounded body and a long tail, breathes with gills, and lives in water

called also pollywog

Etymology

Middle English taddepol "tadpole," from tode "toad" and polle "head"

Word Origin

A young tadpole looks like a large head with a tail. In time it will develop back legs and then front legs. Finally it will lose its tail and become a toad or a frog. Our word for this immature form of a toad or frog comes from Middle English taddepol. This word was a combination of two others, tode, meaning "toad," and polle, meaning "head."