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Definition of anole

anole

/əˈnoʊl/
a · nole
Plural:anoles
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anole Lexical Profile

anole Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, insectivorous arboreal lizard native to the Americas, characterized by a long slender tail, adhesive toe pads, and, in many species, a brightly colored throat fan (dewlap) and the ability to change skin color.

Example

"The bright green anole darted across the garden fence, pausing momentarily to extend its vibrant red dewlap to display dominance."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for anole

Word Nuance & Usage

Although commonly referred to colloquially in the United States as 'American chameleons' due to their ability to rapidly change color, anoles are only distantly related to true chameleons.

• Rhymes for anole

• Nearby Words

annex
annona
annulated tree boa
anole
anomalocaris
anomalopteryx
ant

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the French word 'anolis', which in turn comes from the Carib word 'anoúli' or 'anoli', meaning 'lizard'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Anole. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 11, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/anole
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