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Definition of horned lizard

horned lizard

Plural:horned lizards
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horned lizard Lexical Profile

• noun

1

North American Any of several small, flat-bodied lizards of the genus Phrynosoma native to arid and semiarid regions of western North America, recognized by their spiny scales, prominent crown-like horns on the head, and the unique ability of some species to squirt blood from their eyes as a defense mechanism.

Example

"While surveying the sparse desert brush in Arizona, the biologist spotted a horned lizard perfectly camouflaged against the reddish sand."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for horned lizard

Word Nuance & Usage

Frequently referred to colloquially as a 'horned toad' due to its flattened, rounded body and blunt snout, though it is a true reptile and not an amphibian.

• Nearby Words

hornbeam
hornbill
horned desert viper
horned lizard
horned puff adder
horned viper
hornero

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Horned lizard. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/horned lizard
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