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

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

Cane toad eggs also contain bufotoxin, which can harm or kill native species that eat them, according to the FWC. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 8 July 2026

There, students can see animals including snakes, axolotls, tiger salamanders, turtles, toads, frogs, tarantulas, millipedes, bunnies and owls, Wieser said. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026

Harmony From toad races and K-9 agility courses, to mini golf and vintage shopping, Harmony has countless ways to celebrate America's birthday. — Cole Premo, CBS News, 29 June 2026

When catching a cane toad, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences recommends using a plastic bag from the grocery store to grab the toad by hand, then flipping the bag inside-out around the toad to ensure it’s trapped. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 23 June 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