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Definition of worm lizard
worm lizard
Plural:worm lizards
worm lizard Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A burrowing, mostly limbless squamate reptile belonging to the clade Amphisbaenia, characterized by a long cylindrical body, reduced eyes, and a superficial resemblance to an earthworm.
Example
"During our biological survey in South America, we found a worm lizard tunneling deep into the loose, sandy soil of the rainforest floor."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for worm lizardWord Nuance & Usage
Despite the common name, worm lizards are neither true worms nor true snakes; they constitute their own distinct group of highly specialized, burrowing squamate reptiles (Amphisbaenia).
Word Origin & Etymology
A descriptive compound term combining 'worm' (referring to its limbless, ringed, earthworm-like appearance) and 'lizard' (denoting its classification as a reptile).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Worm lizard. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/worm lizard