toad

noun

ˈtōd

: 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

: a contemptible person or thing

Example Sentences

He's such a mean little toad. that miserable toad is lucky to have even a single friend

Recent Examples on the Web The current Guinness World Record for the heaviest toad belongs to Prinsen, a cane toad owned as a pet in Sweden who weighed 5.81 pounds in 1991. —

Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2023 The last Guinness World Records largest toad was set in 1991 by a Swedish pet at 5.8 pounds. —

Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2023 The heaviest toad on record was measured in March 1991 when Prinsen, a pet cane toad in Sweden, weighed in at 5.13 pounds and measured at 1 foot 9 inches when fully extended, according to Guinness World Records. —

Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2023 In the show, Hypnotoad is a toad that has hypnotic powers capable of putting anyone and everyone in his trance. —

Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2023 In the show, Hypnotoad is a toad that has hypnotic powers capable of putting anyone and everyone in his trance. —

Dallas News, 8 Jan. 2023 Doncic was also challenged to use the phrase ‘horny toad’ during the postgame press conference of the Lakers matchup. —

Dallas News, 1 Jan. 2023 Among the new species were 44 lizards, 30 ants, 14 flowering plants, 13 sea stars, seven fish, four sharks, three moths, two spiders and one toad. —

Ashley Strickland, CNN, 29 Dec. 2022 India Hobson Deck your table in autumnal reds, with a festive arrangement like this Vervain assemblage of toad lilies, scabious, dahlias, eucalyptus, and hydrangeas in an antique vase. —

Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 9 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'toad.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of toad was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Toad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toad. Accessed 8 Feb. 2023.

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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