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

Parker’s mauve dress was complemented by a pair of reptilian boots from Jimmy Choo, specifically The Boot, 2000 from The Archive: 1997-2001 Capsule. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 May 2025

The 2x Golden Globe nominee mourned the death of his alligator co-star Morris, who played the titular character’s nemesis in the 1996 golf comedy, on Wednesday with a sweet tribute to the reptilian actor on Instagram. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 May 2025

Noun

Compared with the other dragons in the original, which character designer Nico Marlet imagined with comically lopsided proportions — bulgy eyes, oversize heads, ungainly fangs — Toothless was an elegant mix of feline and canine traits, mapped onto a sleek black reptilian body. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025

Integrate the year of the snake into your interior design with these reptilian hooks with an antique brass finish. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 May 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