toad

[ tohd ]

noun

1. any of various tailless amphibians that are close relatives of the frogs in the order Anura and that typically have dry, warty skin and are terrestrial or semiterrestrial in habit. Compare frog ¹( def 1 ).
2. Also called true toad. a toad of the widespread and chiefly terrestrial family Bufonidae, having relatively short hind legs used in hopping and often having at the shoulders swellings containing glands that, along with the skin, secrete an irritating fluid in defense. Compare frog ¹( def 2 ).
3. any of various toadlike animals, as certain lizards.
4. a person or thing as an object of disgust or aversion.

toad

/ təʊd /

noun

1. any anuran amphibian of the class Bufonidae, such as Bufo bufo ( common toad ) of Europe. They are similar to frogs but are more terrestrial, having a drier warty skin batrachian
2. any of various similar amphibians of different families
3. a loathsome person

Derived Forms

• ˈtoadish, adjective

Other Words From

• toadish toadlike adjective
• toadish·ness noun
• toadless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of toad¹

before 1000; Middle English tode, Old English tāde, tādi ( g ) e

Word History and Origins

Origin of toad¹

Old English tādige, of unknown origin; see tadpole

Example Sentences

Dad’s too preoccupied to fully react, however: Bug is busy trying to pay for the wedding with an exotic toad from Colorado.

From Los Angeles Times

Within four to twelve weeks after hatching, these little tadpoles begin their transformation into toads, with only about 1% making it to adulthood.

From BBC

They call them that because they are ugly as toads, but sweet as sugar!!!!

From Salon

Ever the optimist, Bug is planning to sell the hallucinogenic slime he skims off the back of a toad he’s imported from Colorado to fund his imminent wedding to a fling of three months.

From Los Angeles Times

There were several mice that Abel and Amanda knew, and a family of toads they had once met at a carnival; all the rest were strangers.

From Literature

Related Words

• frog