Word
toad
US/ˈtoʊd/
UK/tˈəʊd/
Definitions
01amphibian
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a small animal similar to a frog that has dry, bumpy skin and lives mostly on land.
n. a tailless amphibian of the order Anura, typically characterized by shorter hind legs and drier, more warty skin than a frog.
“A large toad sat perfectly still in the garden near the rocks.”
“Unlike the smooth-skinned frogs found in the pond, the common toad prefers damp terrestrial habitats where its camouflaged skin provides protection from predators.”
Synonyms
02unpleasant person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a person who is very mean, dishonest, or unpleasant.
n. a contemptible, repulsive, or highly unpleasant person. Used as a derogatory label.
“Nobody liked the manager because he was a nasty little toad.”
“The antagonist was portrayed as a grovelling toad, willing to betray his closest allies to secure a minor promotion within the company.”
03to ban a user
C2 · Proficiency Computing Informal · Technical
v. to permanently delete a user's account from an online game or system.
v. to expel a user permanently from a MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) or similar legacy online system, resulting in the deletion of their account.
“The player was toaded after the admins found out he was cheating.”
“In the early days of online gaming, being toaded was the ultimate punishment for violating the community's social contract.”
Usage
Commonly used in a metaphorical sense to describe a person who is considered repulsive or contemptible.
Etymology
From Middle English tode, toode, tadde, tade, from Old English *tāde, a shortened variant of Old English tādie, tādiġe (“toad”). Cognate with Scots tade, taid, taed, ted (“toad”). Compare also Danish tudse (“toad”), possibly originally from the same prehistoric root; also Swedish tåssa, tossa (“toad”), Old English tāxe (“toad”), Old English tosca (“toad”) by contrast.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
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