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

A snapshot of wriggling toad tadpoles has earned Shane Gross the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

From BBC

Beneath a floating canopy of lily pads in Cedar Lake, Canada, a swarm of western toad tadpoles glided gracefully through the water.

From BBC

Pratt said they’ve hoping to get a Yosemite toad crossing at Tioga Pass, similar to one already in place at Sonora Pass.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Yellow spotted monitor lizards usually die after eating a single adult cane toad, an introduced pest with toxic skin secretions that has wreaked havoc on Australia’s native wildlife.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• frog