# frog

/ˈfɹɑɡ/ (US) · /fɹˈɒɡ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/frog
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. amphibian

noun · CEFR A2

a small, cold-blooded animal with long back legs for jumping that lives both in water and on land.

For teachers: any of various tailless amphibians of the order Anura, characterized by long hind limbs adapted for leaping and a semi-aquatic lifestyle.

- The children watched a small green frog hop into the pond.
- Biologists use the presence of certain frog species as an indicator of the overall health of the local wetland ecosystem.

### 2. clothing fastener

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

an ornamental loop and button used to fasten the front of a coat or jacket.

For teachers: an ornamental braided loop and spindle-shaped button used as a fastener on garments, particularly military or traditional uniforms.

- The vintage jacket was decorated with silk frogs instead of regular buttons.
- The historical costume designer spent hours recreating the intricate gold frogs that adorned the hussar's ceremonial tunic.

### 3. offensive term for French person

noun · CEFR C2 · Vulgar · Slang

an insulting and offensive word for a French person.

For teachers: a derogatory ethnic slur directed at French people or French-speaking individuals.

- He was criticized for using an offensive term like frog during the argument.
- The use of such xenophobic epithets as 'frog' is strictly prohibited under the organization's code of conduct regarding hate speech.

### 4. horse's hoof part

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the soft, V-shaped part on the bottom of a horse's hoof.

For teachers: a triangular, elastic horny pad in the middle of the sole of a horse's hoof that acts as a shock absorber and assists blood circulation.

- The farrier checked the frog of the horse's hoof for any signs of infection.
- Proper maintenance of the frog is essential for the equine's hoof health, as it provides necessary traction and cushioning during movement.

### 5. violin bow part

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the part of a violin bow that the player holds.

For teachers: the device at the lower end of a stringed instrument's bow that holds the hair and adjusts its tension.

- He gripped the frog of the bow firmly before starting the concerto.
- The luthier carefully adjusted the screw in the frog to ensure the horsehair had the perfect amount of tension for the performance.

### 6. to unravel knitting

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to pull apart a piece of knitting because you made a mistake.

For teachers: to rip out or unravel rows of knitting, often to correct an error or reuse the yarn.

- I had to frog the entire sweater because I missed a stitch in the first row.
- After realizing the gauge was incorrect, she decided to frog the entire sleeve and start over with smaller needles.

Usage: The term comes from the sound 'rip it, rip it', which sounds like a frog's 'ribbit'.

## Examples

- A green frog jumped into the pond.
- We could hear the loud sound of a frog croaking in the garden last night.
- The biology students spent the afternoon observing how the frog used its powerful hind legs to propel itself across the surface of the marsh.

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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.