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1
: any of numerous anuran amphibians (especially family Bufonidae) that are distinguished from the related frogs by being more terrestrial in habit though returning to water to lay their eggs, by having a build that is squatter and shorter with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry, and warty rather than smooth and moist
2
: a contemptible person or thing
Synonyms
- bastard
- beast
- bleeder [British]
- blighter [chiefly British]
- boor
- bounder
- bugger
- buzzard
- cad
- chuff
- churl
- clown
- creep
- cretin
- crud [slang]
- crumb [slang]
- cur
- dirtbag [slang]
- dog
- fink
- heel
- hound
- jerk
- joker
- louse
- lout
- pill
- rat
- rat fink
- reptile
- rotter
- schmuck [slang]
- scum
- scumbag [slang]
- scuzzball [slang]
- skunk
- sleaze
- sleazebag [slang]
- sleazeball [slang]
- slime
- slimeball [slang]
- slob
- snake
- so-and-so
- sod [chiefly British]
- stinkard
- stinker
- swine
- varmint
- vermin
Examples of toad in a Sentence
He's such a mean little toad.
that miserable toad is lucky to have even a single friend
Recent Examples on the Web
While the cane toad was introduced as a form of pest control for human benefit, here the Malaysian micro-wasp would be used mainly to help return the red crab population to its old numbers.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
State amphibian: Texas toad The Texas toad is a common amphibian found in grasslands and deserts across the state.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Oct. 2024
Enlarge / The Colorado River toad, also known as the Sonoran Desert Toad.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 10 May 2024
Today a herpetologist can identify each frog, toad and salamander in a creek by sifting through snippets of DNA in the merest vial of water.
—Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English tode, from Old English tāde, tādige
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of toad was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing toad
Articles Related to toad
Dictionary Entries Near toad
Cite this Entry
“Toad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toad. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
toad
noun
: any of numerous tailless leaping amphibians that lay their eggs in water and are distinguished from the related frogs by living on land more often, by having a build that is shorter and thicker with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry and warty rather than smooth and moist
More from Merriam-Webster on toad
Nglish: Translation of toad for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toad
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