chameleon

[ kuh-mee-lee-uhn, -meel-yuhn ]

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) Astronomy. Chamaeleon.

chameleon

/ 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

Derived Forms

• chameleonic, adjective
• chaˈmeleon-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• cha·me·le·on·ic [k, uh, -mee-lee-, on, -ik], adjective
• cha·mele·on·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chameleon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chameleon¹

C14: from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek khamaileōn, from khamai on the ground + leōn lion

Example Sentences

Scientists say they discovered a sunflower seed-sized subspecies of chameleon that may well be the smallest reptile on Earth.

From Washington Post

Hidden beneath the leaf litter of a northern Malagasy forest lives a chameleon so slight that it could tumble off the tip of your finger.

From Science News

Like many people unsure of their identities, Owusu initially played the part of a chameleon of sorts, adopting the characteristics of wherever she was and adapting to them.

From Washington Post

An impressive chameleon, Saint Bodhi has a distinctive perspective that pours out of this G-funk-laced cut called “Zombie”.

From Essence.com

With tresses that can transform into spaces buns, beautiful braids and ethereal pixie-length coiffures, Janelle Monáe is a bonafide hair chameleon.

From Essence.com

“Sue (Or In a Season of Crime)” brings the rock chameleon into jazz territory, backed up by a horn-heavy jazz big band.

From The Daily Beast

You have to be an everyman and chameleon, so that every bit of you is involved in the end.

From The Daily Beast

While he could be a chameleon on the international stage, he was never a man of dialogue on the domestic front.

From The Daily Beast

He is also a chameleon, he says, able to adapt his personality to appease any audience.

From The Daily Beast

She is a real chameleon … in every look she comes out looking like a different person and that is gold in our business.

From The Daily Beast

That is a research which yields no statistics, an enquiry like asking what is the ruling colour of a chameleon.

From Project Gutenberg

Only a lizard scuttling over the dark-washed bedroom wall, first cousin to the chameleon you saw at Abu Simbel.

From Project Gutenberg

I am unstable as water; incoherent, inconsistent, a very chameleon!

From Project Gutenberg

From Forbess work we extract the following particulars respecting The Chameleon.

From Project Gutenberg

If one has a chameleon's tongue, cut out before the creature's death, he may defy all the sharpers in the world.

From Project Gutenberg