# armadillo

/ˌɑɹməˈdɪɫoʊ/ (US) · /ˌɑːmɐdˈɪləʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/armadillo
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a small animal with a hard shell made of bony plates. It lives in warm parts of the Americas and uses its strong claws to dig.

For teachers: a small, burrowing mammal of the family Dasypodidae, native to the Americas, characterized by a leathery skin and a bony armor.

## Examples

- The armadillo dug a hole in the garden.
- While hiking in Texas, we spotted an armadillo scurrying across the dry grass.
- The nine-banded armadillo is unique among mammals for its ability to survive in a wide range of habitats, from dense forests to arid deserts, provided there is sufficient soil for burrowing.

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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.