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Definition of pollywog

pollywog

/ˈpɑː.li.wɑːɡ/
pol · ly · wog
Plural:pollywogs
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pollywog Lexical Profile

pollywog Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A tadpole; the aquatic larval stage of a frog or toad, characterized by a rounded head and body with a long, finned tail and gills.

Example

"The children waded into the shallow pond to catch a tiny pollywog in a glass jar."

2

In nautical slang, a sailor who has never crossed the equator.

Example

"Every pollywog aboard the naval vessel participated in the traditional line-crossing ceremony to become a shellback."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for pollywog

• Nearby Words

pollution
polly
pollyanna
pollywog
polo
poltergeist
poly

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating from Middle English 'polwigle', the word combines 'pol' (meaning 'head') and 'wiglen' (meaning 'to wiggle'), literally describing a creature that looks like a wiggling head.

Cite this Entry

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