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Definition of gila monster
gila monster
Plural:Gila monsters
gila monster Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A large, heavy-bodied, venomous lizard native to the arid desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, characterized by its bead-like scales and striking black and pinkish-orange or yellow coloration.
Example
"While exploring the trails of the Sonoran Desert, the biology students were thrilled to observe a Gila monster slowly traversing the rocky landscape."
Word Origin & Etymology
Named after the Gila River basin in the southwestern United States where the species was once abundant. The term 'monster' was added by early European-American settlers due to the lizard's venomous bite and fearsome reputation.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gila monster. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gila monster