reptilian

1 of 2

adjective

rep·​til·​ian rep-ˈti-lē-ən 

-ˈtil-yən

1

: resembling or having the characteristics of the reptiles

2

: of or relating to the reptiles

3

: cold-bloodedly treacherous

a reptilian villain

—Theodore Dreiser

reptilian

2 of 2

noun

: reptile sense 2

Examples of reptilian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The tuatara of New Zealand, a spiny reptilian relic, can outlive generations of researchers studying it. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

He is subjected to constant humiliation by hotel management, particularly the waiter-turned-hotel director Osip, played to reptilian perfection by Johnny Harris. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

Noun

Saturday Day Three Harry Hamlin had some notes for his reptilian co-stars View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vulture (@vulture) Check out the rest of their conversation in the studio, including everything to know about the upcoming season of Mayfair Witches, here. —Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025

Patrick, born Roman, raised Welsh, and famously credited with banishing snakes from Ireland (a reptilian issue geology had resolved millennia before) dominates the global imagination. —Gemma Allen, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reptilian

• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• pavilion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• vermilion
• vermillion
• billion
• million
• pillion
• trillion

Kids Definition

reptilian

adjective

rep·​til·​ian

rep-ˈtil-ē-ən

: of, relating to, or resembling reptiles