alligator

American  

[al-i-gey-ter] / ˈæl ɪˌgeɪ tər /

noun

1. either of two broad-snouted crocodilians of the genus Alligator, of the southeastern U.S. and eastern China.

2. (loosely) any broad-snouted crocodilian, as a caiman.

3. Metallurgy. a machine for bringing the balls of iron from a puddling furnace into compact form so that they can be handled.

4. Jazz. an enthusiastic fan of swing.

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verb (used without object)

1. (of paint, varnish, or the like) to crack and acquire the appearance of alligator hide, as from weathering or improper application to a surface.

2. Metalworking. (of a rolled metal slab) to split and curl up and down at one end; fishmouth.

alligator British  

/ ˈælɪˌɡeɪtə /

noun

1. a large crocodilian, Alligator mississipiensis, of the southern US, having powerful jaws and sharp teeth and differing from the crocodiles in having a shorter and broader snout: family Alligatoridae (alligators and caymans)

2. a similar but smaller species, A. sinensis, occurring in China near the Yangtse River

3. any crocodilian belonging to the family Alligatoridae

4. any of various tools or machines having adjustable toothed jaws, used for gripping, crushing, or compacting

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Usage

What’s the difference between alligators and crocodiles? Alligators and crocodiles are both large, lizardlike reptiles known for their large, powerful jaws and sharp teeth, their long tails, and their thick, plated skin. However, you can tell them apart through some physical differences. Alligators are typically darker and have broader snout. Crocodiles are often lighter in color and have a narrower snout. When they’re in the water, alligators typically lurk under the surface, with only their eyes visible. In contrast, crocodiles typically hold the top of their head out of the water. When alligators’ jaws are closed, only their upper teeth are visible, but both the upper and lower teeth of crocodiles are visible when their jaws are closed. Alligators mainly live in the southeastern U. S. and eastern China. Crocodiles live in tropical areas of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. The only place that wild alligators and crocodiles have been documented as inhabiting the same area is in south Florida. Taxonomically speaking, alligators and crocodiles are not only different species, they also belong to a different genus (alligators belong to the genus Alligator, while crocodiles belong to the genus Crocodylus). Still, they both belong to the order Crocodylia, which means they can both be called crocodilians. Here’s an example of alligator and crocodile used correctly in a sentence. Example: Florida is known for its population of alligators, although a few crocodiles also live in the extreme south. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between alligators and crocodiles.

Etymology

Origin of alligator

1560–70; < Spanish el lagarto the lizard < Vulgar Latin *ille that + *lacartus, for Latin lacertus lizard

Explanation

An alligator is a very big reptile — a scaly, four-footed animal with a long tail. You might see an alligator if you travel to Florida or Louisiana. Alligators are only found in the warmest, swampiest places in the United States and China — and occasionally in the zoo. They can grow as long as fourteen feet and can weigh more than 900 pounds, and they eat turtles, birds, fish, and sometimes deer. Alligator comes from the Spanish el lagarto, or "lizard." In the 1930s, if someone called you an alligator, they might have been referring to your love for swing music.

Example Sentences

Legal fight over Albert the ‘emotional support’ alligator comes to an end.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Scott: Someone saw an alligator on the golf course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has also launched a separate investigation into another of Peters’ videos involving an alligator in the Everglades, according to the agency.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

A sad farewell to Claude, the albino alligator.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

He was about six feet tall, even with several inches of slouch, his light brown skin dry and weathered like alligator, his eyes sea green at the center, with deep blue edges.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot