chameleon

American  

[kuh-mee-lee-uhn, -meel-yuhn] / kəˈmi li ən, -ˈmil yən /

noun

1. any of numerous Old World lizards of the family Chamaeleontidae, characterized by the ability to change the color of their skin, very slow locomotion, and a projectile tongue.

2. any of several American lizards capable of changing the color of the skin, especially Anolis carolinensis American chameleon, of the southeastern U.S.

3. a changeable, fickle, or inconstant person.

4. (initial capital letter) Chamaeleon.

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chameleon British  

/ kəˌmiːlɪˈɒnɪk, kəˈmiːlɪən /

noun

1. any lizard of the family Chamaeleontidae of Africa and Madagascar, having long slender legs, a prehensile tail and tongue, and the ability to change colour

2. a changeable or fickle person

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Other Word Forms

• chameleon-like adjective
• chameleonic adjective
• chameleonlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of chameleon

1300–50; variant of chamaeleon < Latin < Greek chamailéōn, equivalent to chamaí on the ground, dwarf (akin to humus ) + léōn lion; replacing Middle English camelion < Middle French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

She’s a chameleon and has been terrific in everything she has done.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Strougal, according to a profile published in the Boston Globe in 1969, had “a chameleon’s ability to match his colors to those of the winning side.”

From Washington Post

I have successfully used this method also on other unwanted plants, including Houttuynia cordata, aka chameleon plant, a horribly aggressive ground cover.

From Salon

If there’s a quintessential New Orleanian, it’s a chameleon, swapping one personality or persona for another.

From Los Angeles Times

A soft-bodied robot that can change its colour to match its background like a chameleon has been built.

From BBC