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Definition of banded iguana
banded iguana
Plural:banded iguanas
banded iguana Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A species of brightly colored, highly arboreal lizard (especially the Fiji banded iguana, Brachylophus fasciatus) native to the South Pacific islands of Fiji, noted for the distinctive light blue or pale green bands that cross the emerald green bodies of the males.
Example
"The zoo's reptile exhibit features a male Fiji banded iguana, easily recognizable by the striking pale blue stripes along its body."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for banded iguana• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The term 'banded' describes the striped pattern characteristic of the male's body, combined with 'iguana', which derives from the Taino word 'iwana', entering English via Spanish.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Banded iguana. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/banded iguana