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crocodile
[krok-uh-dahyl ]
noun
- any of severalcrocodilians of the genusCrocodylus,found in sluggish waters and swamps of the tropics.
- any reptile of the order Crocodylia;crocodilian.
- the tanned skin or hide of these animals, used in the manufacture of luggage and accessories, as belts, shoes, and wallets.
- Chiefly British.a file of people, especially schoolchildren, out for a walk.
- Archaic.a person who makes a hypocritical show of sorrow.
crocodile
/ ˈkrɒkəˌdaɪl /
noun
- any large tropical reptile, such asC. niloticus(African crocodile), of the familyCrocodylidae:orderCrocodilia(crocodilians). They have a broad head, tapering snout, massive jaws, and a thick outer covering of bony plates
- any other reptile of the orderCrocodilia;a crocodilian
- leather made from the skin of any of these animals
- (as modifier)
crocodile shoes
- informal.a line of people, esp schoolchildren, walking two by two
Other Words From
- croc·o·dil·oid[krok-, uh, -, dil, -oid, krok, -, uh, -dahy-loid], adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin ofcrocodile1
Word History and Origins
Origin ofcrocodile1
Example Sentences
The rowing will be held in Queensland's Fitzroy River, which is known to host saltwater crocodiles but the government say the waters are safe.
The man might as well be wiping away his crocodile tears with $1,000 bills.
It sparked a massive backlash, with Australian PM Anthony Albanese challenging her to "take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there".
“I was sitting there in the jungle with every bug, snake and crocodile, thinking there had to be a better way to make a living. That’s when I started thinking: urban jungle.”
The secret killers shedding crocodile tears over breakfast of smoked salmon!
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Crocodile Vs. Alligator
What’s the difference betweencrocodiles andalligators?
Crocodiles andalligators are both large, lizardlike reptiles known for their large, powerful jaws and sharp teeth, their long tails, and their thick, plated skin.
However, you can tell them apart through some physical differences.Crocodiles are often lighter in color and have a narrower snout.Alligators are typically darker and have broader snout.
When they’re in the water,crocodiles typically hold the top of their head out of the water. In contrast,alligators typically lurk under the surface, with only their eyes visible. Whenalligators’ jaws are closed, only their upper teeth are visible, but both the upper and lower teeth ofcrocodiles are visible when their jaws are closed.
Crocodiles live in tropical areas of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia.Alligators mainly live in the southeastern U.S. and eastern China. The only place that wildalligators andcrocodiles have been documented as inhabiting the same area is in south Florida.
Taxonomically speaking,crocodiles andalligators are not only differentspecies, they also belong to a differentgenus (crocodiles belong to the genusCrocodylus, whilealligators belong to the genusAlligator). Still, they both belong to theorderCrocodylia, which means they can both be calledcrocodilians.
Here’s an example ofcrocodile andalligator used correctly in a sentence.
Example:Florida is known for its population of alligators, although a few crocodiles also live in the extreme south.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of thedifference betweencrocodiles andalligators.
Quiz yourself oncrocodile vs.alligator!
Shouldcrocodile oralligator be used in the following sentence?
You can tell that it’s a _____ because of its long, narrow snout and the fact that its upper and lower teeth are visible when its mouth is closed.
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