ENGLISH
REFERENCE

newt

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈnut// UK //njˈuːt// newt Informal

n. a small animal that looks like a lizard but can live both in water and on land. It has a long tail and moist skin, and it belongs to the salamander family.

n. a small, semi-aquatic amphibian belonging to the subfamily Pleurodelinae. It is distinguished from other salamanders by its rougher skin and its life cycle, which involves alternating between aquatic and terrestrial habitats.


SIMPLE

A small green newt swam across the pond.

CONTEXTUAL

During the spring breeding season, you can often find a newt hiding under damp logs near the garden pool.

COMPLEX

The presence of the great crested newt in the local wetlands led to a significant delay in the housing development while environmental impact studies were conducted.

Synonyms
Usage

Refers specifically to the animal; the term is often used in the phrase 'blind as a newt' in British English to describe someone who is very drunk.

© 2026 English Reference