Word
reptilian
Phoneticsrep·til·ian
US/ɹɛpˈtɪɫjən/
UK/ɹɛptˈɪliən/
Definition
adj. relating to reptiles, which are cold-blooded animals like snakes, lizards, and turtles. It describes things that look or act like these creatures.
adj. relating to or resembling reptiles, which are cold-blooded vertebrates with scaly skin. Often used to describe physical features, behaviors, or evolutionary traits.
Examples
“The snake has a reptilian appearance with its scaly skin.”
“The ancient creature had a reptilian body plan that allowed it to survive in the harsh desert environment.”
“While the creature's exterior was distinctly reptilian, its internal skeletal structure suggested a more advanced evolutionary lineage than its surface-level features might imply.”
Examples
simple
“The snake has a reptilian appearance with its scaly skin.”
contextual
“The ancient creature had a reptilian body plan that allowed it to survive in the harsh desert environment.”
complex
“While the creature's exterior was distinctly reptilian, its internal skeletal structure suggested a more advanced evolutionary lineage than its surface-level features might imply.”
Real-World Examples
“Orchestra and conductor rediscovered their groove for the scherzo, however, where oily clarinets and croaking bassoons intertwined with reptilian strings.” “Although Guns N' Roses has been called the "most dangerous band in the world," its reptilian namesake is not dangerous to people.” Etymology
From reptile + -ian, replacing earlier reptilious and adjectival reptile.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/reptilian