# salamander

/ˌsæɫəˈmændɝ/ (US) · /sˈælɐmˌɑːndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/salamander
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the animal

noun · CEFR B2

a small animal with a long tail and wet skin that looks like a lizard but is an amphibian.

For teachers: any of various tailed amphibians of the order Caudata, typically characterized by a lizard-like appearance and moist, scale-less skin.

- We found a small, orange salamander hiding under a damp log in the woods.
- The researchers monitored the salamander population in the wetlands to assess the impact of rising water temperatures on amphibian breeding cycles.

### 2. mythical creature

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a legendary creature, often shaped like a lizard, that people once believed could live in fire.

For teachers: a mythical being, often represented as a lizard, believed to be capable of enduring or living within fire.

- Old stories describe the salamander as a spirit that dances inside the flames.
- In medieval heraldry, the salamander was frequently depicted amidst flames to symbolize enduring faith or courage in the face of adversity.

### 3. kitchen equipment

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a powerful overhead grill used in professional kitchens to brown the top of food quickly.

For teachers: a high-temperature overhead broiler or grill used in professional catering for browning, glazing, or finishing dishes.

- The chef put the French onion soup under the salamander to melt the cheese.
- After plating the fish, the sous-chef placed it briefly under the salamander to achieve a perfectly crisp skin without overcooking the delicate flesh.

### 4. construction heater

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · American English

a portable heater used on building sites to dry out materials or keep workers warm.

For teachers: a portable, often oil- or gas-fired heater used in the construction industry to provide warmth or to dry out masonry and plaster.

- They left a salamander running overnight to help the new concrete dry faster.
- During the winter months, the site manager insisted on using a salamander to prevent the freshly applied plaster from freezing before it could set.

### 5. to brown food

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to use a special grill to brown the top of a dish.

For teachers: to brown, toast, or glaze the surface of a food item using a salamander broiler.

- You should salamander the top of the crème brûlée until the sugar turns into a crust.
- The recipe instructs the cook to salamander the gratin for exactly ninety seconds to ensure an even, golden-brown finish across the entire surface.

Usage: The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- He used a salamander to sear the steak on the grill.
- The chef placed the salmon on the salamander to finish cooking it over the high heat of the charcoal.
- While the mythological salamander was said to be born in fire and die in water, the modern kitchen tool serves a much more practical purpose in achieving a perfect char on grilled vegetables.

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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.