newt

American  

[noot, nyoot] / nut, nyut /

noun

1. any of several brilliantly colored salamanders of the family Salamandridae, especially those of the genera Triturus and Notophthalmus, of North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

2. any of various other small salamanders.

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newt British  

/ njuːt /

noun

1. any of various small semiaquatic urodele amphibians, such as Triturus vulgaris ( common newt ) of Europe, having a long slender body and tail and short feeble legs

2. any other urodele amphibian, including the salamanders

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Etymology

Origin of newt

1375–1425; late Middle English newte, for ewte (the phrase an ewte being taken as a newte; nickname ), variant of evet, Old English efete eft ¹

Example Sentences

I’ll never forget the first time I saw a California newt waddling through Millard Canyon falls.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

Now, his own plans to build a pool at his newly-acquired Oxfordshire home may be hampered due to the presence of his old nemesis, the great crested newt.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2023

Here in the Pacific Northwest spring, tiger salamanders emerge from their fossorial homes to breed, and the poisonous rough-skinned newt accelerates its activities with the warming sun.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 28, 2023

“It’s important to build safe passages for all kinds of animals, whether it’s a little tiny newt or a big beautiful mountain lion,” Ms. Gale said.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2023

The Trunchbull was sitting behind the teacher's table staring with a mixture of horror and fascination at the newt wriggling in the glass.

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

• frog
• salamander
• toad