chameleon

American  

[kuh-mee-lee-uhn, -meel-yuhn] / kəˈmi li ən, -ˈmil yən /

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) Chamaeleon.

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chameleon British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• chameleon-like adjective
• chameleonic adjective
• chameleonlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of chameleon

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

Example Sentences

Pop chameleon Lady Gaga and Puerto Rico's Bad Bunny also are competing in all three top categories.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

David was a political chameleon who nimbly navigated a volatile epoch while remaining an artist of the highest professionalism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

With these two newly described species, Madagascar is now known to host exactly 100 chameleon species, contributing to a global total of 236.

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2025

Zambian Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde were convicted under the Witchcraft Act after being arrested in December with charms in their possession, including a live chameleon.

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025

What if, by exposing this chameleon, V could stop a similar mother from experiencing a similar heartache?

From "A Tangle of Knots" by Lisa Graff