# scorpion

/ˈskɔɹpiən/ (US) · /skˈɔːpiən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scorpion
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the animal

noun · CEFR B1

a small creature with eight legs, two large pincers, and a curved tail that has a poisonous sting.

For teachers: any arachnid of the order Scorpiones, characterized by a segmented tail ending in a venomous stinger and a pair of grasping pedipalps.

- The hikers were careful to shake out their boots in case a scorpion had crawled inside.
- Desert-dwelling scorpions are primarily nocturnal, using their sensitive pincers to detect vibrations from potential prey in the sand.

### 2. star sign or constellation

noun · CEFR B2

the constellation Scorpius or a person born under the Scorpio star sign.

For teachers: the eighth sign of the zodiac, Scorpius, or an individual born under this astrological influence.

- My sister is a scorpion, so her birthday is in early November.
- The astronomer pointed out the bright red star Antares, which marks the heart of the scorpion in the southern sky.

### 3. a spiteful person

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a person who is very mean, cruel, or wants to hurt others.

For teachers: a person perceived as particularly spiteful, vindictive, or malicious in character.

- He was a real scorpion who enjoyed watching his rivals fail.
- The protagonist realized too late that his business partner was a scorpion, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and seize the company.

### 4. ancient weapon

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an old military machine used long ago to throw large stones or arrows.

For teachers: a historical siege engine or catapult used in ancient warfare for discharging missiles.

- The Roman army used a scorpion to fire heavy bolts at the enemy walls.
- Archaeologists discovered the iron remains of a scorpion, providing new evidence of the defensive capabilities of the ancient fortress.

## Examples

- The scorpion hid under a large rock in the desert.
- Hikers in the Southwest are often advised to shake out their boots to check for a hidden scorpion.
- Despite their fearsome reputation, only a small fraction of scorpion species possess venom potent enough to pose a significant medical threat to a healthy adult human.

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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.