reptilian

1 of 2

adjective

rep·​til·​ian rep-ˈti-lē-ən How to pronounce reptilian (audio)
-ˈtil-yən
1
: resembling or having the characteristics of the reptiles
2
: of or relating to the reptiles
3
: cold-bloodedly treacherous
a reptilian villainTheodore Dreiser

reptilian

2 of 2

noun

Examples of reptilian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Your heart beats faster, adrenaline is released and the most reptilian part of your brain takes over your the executive functioning of your brain. Janice Marturano, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 The tuatara of New Zealand, a spiny reptilian relic, can outlive generations of researchers studying it. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
Watch the standoff 4-foot reptilian predator spotted 'enveloping' hawk turns out to be new snake species Who wins in a fight between 100 men and 1 gorilla? Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025 Within minutes, the huge coat was whisked away — revealing a reptilian bodysuit covered in head-to-toe scales. Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reptilian

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reptilian was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reptilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reptilian. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

reptilian

adjective
rep·​til·​ian
rep-ˈtil-ē-ən
: of, relating to, or resembling reptiles

More from Merriam-Webster on reptilian

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!