# alligator

/ˈæɫəˌɡeɪtɝ/ (US) · /ˈælɪɡˌeɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/alligator
Updated: 2026-05-04

## Definition

a large reptile with a long snout and strong jaws, found in warm areas like swamps and rivers. It looks similar to a crocodile but has a wider snout.

For teachers: a large semiaquatic reptile of the family Alligatoridae, native to North and South America and China, characterised by a broad snout and powerful jaws.

## Examples

- The alligator swims slowly in the warm water.
- Tourists on the boat watched the large alligator resting on the muddy bank under the hot sun.
- The American alligator, once endangered by hunting and habitat loss, has made a remarkable recovery and now thrives in the wetlands of the southeastern United States.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.