reptilian
adj. C1 Advanced US //ɹɛpˈtɪɫjən// UK //ɹɛptˈɪliən// rep·til·ian
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.
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.
From reptile + -ian, replacing earlier reptilious and adjectival reptile.