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Definition of mudpuppy

mudpuppy

/ˈmʌdˌpʌp.i/
mud · pup · py
Plural:mudpuppies
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mudpuppy Lexical Profile

mudpuppy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A large, nocturnal aquatic salamander of the genus Necturus, native to lakes and streams in North America, characterized by its prominent, feathery external gills that it retains throughout its adult life.

Example

"During their nighttime survey of the riverbed, the wildlife biologists safely captured and measured a remarkably large mudpuppy."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mudpuppy

• Nearby Words

mudminnow
mudpack
mudpie
mudpuppy
mudroom
mudskipper
mudslide

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in the 19th century from 'mud' + 'puppy', likely due to a misconception that the amphibian makes a squeaking or barking sound similar to a dog.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mudpuppy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mudpuppy
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