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Definition of polliwog

polliwog

/ˈpɑː.li.wɑːɡ/
pol · li · wog
Plural:polliwogs
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polliwog Lexical Profile

polliwog Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A tadpole; the aquatic larval juvenile of an amphibian, especially a frog or toad, characterized by a rounded head and body, external or internal gills, and a long swimming tail before undergoing metamorphosis.

Example

"The children crouched beside the shallow pond, watching a tiny polliwog dart between the submerged reeds."

2

In nautical tradition, a sailor or passenger who has never crossed the Equator.

Example

"During the traditional line-crossing ceremony, every polliwog aboard the vessel was initiated into the ranks of the shellbacks."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for polliwog

• Nearby Words

polenta
polianthes
pollan
polliwog
pollock
polyanthus
polygala

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Middle English polwygle, a compound of pol (head) and wiglen (to wiggle), literally referring to a creature that wiggles its head.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Polliwog. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 19, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/polliwog
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