Search Dictionary
Definition of veiled chameleon
veiled chameleon
Plural:veiled chameleons
veiled chameleon Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large species of chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) native to the coastal mountain slopes of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, recognized by a tall, bony casque on its head and its ability to display vibrant, rapidly changing colors.
Example
"The veiled chameleon is a popular exotic pet, known for its long, sticky tongue and independently moving eyes."
Word Origin & Etymology
The common name 'veiled chameleon' references the prominent casque or helmet-like bony structure on the animal's head. 'Chameleon' traces back to Greek 'khamailéōn', meaning 'earth lion'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Veiled chameleon. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/veiled chameleon