chameleon

noun

cha·​me·​leon kə-ˈmēl-yən 

often attributive

1

: any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal (see arboreal sense 2) Old World lizards with prehensile (see prehensile sense 1) tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual ability to change the color of the skin

2

a

: a person who often changes his or her beliefs or behavior in order to please others or to succeed

She's a political chameleon.

b

: one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance

Tourmaline is the chameleon of the gem kingdom because it can assume virtually any color.

3

: american chameleon

chameleonic

kə-ˌmē-lē-ˈä-nik 

adjective

chameleonlike

kə-ˈmēl-yən-ˌlīk 

adjective

Did you know?

The chameleon is probably best known for the ability to change colors - but when the ancients named this lizard, they apparently had other qualities in mind. "Chameleon" comes to us, via Latin, from Greek chamaileōn, a combination of "chamai" ("on the ground") and "leōn" ("lion") - a tribute, perhaps, to the lizard's fearsome aspect. It is the ability of the chameleon to change colors, however, that has led to the figurative use of "chameleon" for someone or something that is quick to change. Such figurative use dates back to at least the late 16th century, as demonstrated by King James VI who, writing in 1586 or 1587, requested "I praye you not to takk me to be a Camelion."

Synonyms

• acrobat
• chancer [British]
• opportunist
• temporizer
• timeserver
• trimmer
• weathercock

Examples of chameleon in a Sentence

at the summer resort he acquired a reputation as a social chameleon—someone who could be whatever his hosts wanted him to be

Recent Examples on the Web

Each round is based on a single word from a category card determined by a dice roll, but while everyone else knows the word, the chameleon has to bluff their way through. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025

This outfit highlights how the artist is one of the most interesting fashion chameleons in the music industry currently. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 28 Mar. 2025

Izzo concedes that he’s been a bit of a chameleon over the years. —Paul Newberry, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

Political chameleon The growing acceptability of the European far right coincides with a rightward shift in Israel. —Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English camelion, from Middle French, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek chamaileōn, from chamai on the ground + leōn lion — more at humble

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chameleon

• American chameleon
• chameleon cichlid

Rhymes for chameleon

• machiavellian

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Kids Definition

chameleon

noun

cha·​me·​leon kə-ˈmēl-yən 

1

: any of various lizards that can vary the color of their skin

2

: a person who easily or frequently changes attitude or purpose

Etymology

Middle English chamelion "chameleon," from early French chamelion (same meaning), from Latin chamaeleon (same meaning), from Greek chamaileōn, from chamai "on the ground" and leōn "lion"

Word Origin

The chameleon of the Old World has a fierce look. The Greeks called it chamaileōn, combining their words chamai, meaning "on the ground," and leōn "lion." It may be that the upright ridge of skin behind the head of many of these lizards reminded them of the lion's mane. The Romans borrowed the Greek word for this little creature, and the French later took the Latin word. For a long time after the word was borrowed into Middle English, it was spelled chamelion, with the ending like our modern word lion. But later writers who knew the form of the word in ancient Greek and Latin changed the spelling to chameleon, to match the original form. From its use as the name of a creature able to change color with its mood or the temperature, the word came to be used for a person who is changeable.