grass snake
grass snake Lexical Profile
• noun
British A common non-venomous, semi-aquatic snake (Natrix natrix or Natrix helvetica) native to Europe and parts of Asia, typically olive-green with a distinctive yellow or white collar behind its head.
"The children were thrilled to find a harmless grass snake sunning itself on a rock near the garden pond."
North American Any of various slender, brightly colored non-venomous snakes of the genus Opheodrys, commonly found inhabiting grassy or bushy environments in North America.
"She spotted a tiny, bright green grass snake winding its way seamlessly through the thick lawn."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term refers to different species depending on the region; in Europe, it commonly denotes the collared snake (Natrix natrix), whereas in North America, it is colloquially used for green snakes (genus Opheodrys) or garter snakes.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.