toad

noun

ˈtōd 

1

: any of numerous anuran amphibians (especially family Bufonidae) that are distinguished from the related frogs by being more terrestrial in habit though returning to water to lay their eggs, by having a build that is squatter and shorter with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry, and warty rather than smooth and moist

2

: a contemptible person or thing

Illustration of toad

• toad 1

Synonyms of toad

• bastard
• jerk
• dog
• clown
• skunk
• snake
• rat
• reptile
• joker

Examples of toad in a Sentence

He's such a mean little toad.

that miserable toad is lucky to have even a single friend

Recent Examples on the Web

Four years later, my friends and family living elsewhere were confident that there was no way Texans would choose a toad like Ted Cruz for senator over the radiantly charismatic Beto O’Rourke. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026

Higgins riffs amusingly on his obsequious toad from Slow Horses, but lacks the steely calculation behind the easy smile. — Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026

Riparian habitats, like creeks flowing through canyons, are home to sensitive creatures including California newts, frogs and toads. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

The goliath birdeater is an ambush predator and mostly feeds on earthworms, insects, frogs, and toads. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tode, from Old English tāde, tādige

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing toad

• African clawed toad
• cane toad
• clawed toad
• giant toad
• horned toad
• marine toad
• spadefoot toad
• toad-in-the-hole
• tree toad

Rhymes for toad

• blowed
• bode
• code
• crowed
• flowed
• glowed
• goad
• growed
• knowed
• load
• lode
• lowed

Kids Definition

toad

noun

ˈtōd 

: any of numerous tailless leaping amphibians that lay their eggs in water and are distinguished from the related frogs by living on land more often, by having a build that is shorter and thicker with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry and warty rather than smooth and moist