amphibious

[ am-fib-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. living or able to live both on land and in water; belonging to both land and water.
2. Also . capable of operating on both land and water:

   amphibious vehicles.

3. of or relating to military operations by both land and naval forces against the same object, especially to a military attack by troops landed by naval ships.
4. trained or organized to fight, or fighting, on both land and sea:

   amphibious troops.

5. combining two qualities, kinds, traits, etc.; of or having a mixed or twofold nature.

amphibious

/ æmˈfɪbɪəs /

adjective

1. able to live both on land and in the water, as frogs, toads, etc
2. designed for operation on or from both water and land
3. relating to military forces and equipment organized for operations launched from the sea against an enemy shore
4. having a dual or mixed nature

Derived Forms

• amˈphibiousness, noun
• amˈphibiously, adverb

Other Words From

• am·phibi·ous·ly adverb
• am·phibi·ous·ness noun
• nonam·phibi·ous adjective
• nonam·phibi·ous·ly adverb
• nonam·phibi·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphibious¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin amphibius, from Greek amphíbios “living a double life”; amphi-, bio-, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphibious¹

C17: from Greek amphibios, literally: having a double life, from amphi- + bios life

Example Sentences

It is considered the "world's most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter", according to the Royal Navy, and can carry up to 24 troops.

From BBC

French President Emmanuel Macron was due to hold a reception with other heads of state aboard the amphibious helicopter carrier Dixmude, but that has now been called off.

From BBC

There she created maps for the landing craft that were central to the amphibious attack.

From BBC

The largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare played a crucial role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of Europe.

From BBC

He hailed the "greatest amphibious operation in history" and the courage of those who "must have questioned if they would survive".

From BBC

Related Words

• floating
• marine
• maritime