chameleon
[ kuh-mee-lee-uh n, -meel-yuh n ]
/ kəˈmi li ən, -ˈmil yən /
noun
any of numerous Old World lizards of the family Chamaeleontidae, characterized by the ability to change the color of their skin, very slow locomotion, and a projectile tongue.
any of several American lizards capable of changing the color of the skin, especially Anolis carolinensis (American chameleon), of the southeastern U.S.
a changeable, fickle, or inconstant person.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy.
Chamaeleon.
Origin of chameleon
OTHER WORDS FROM chameleon
cha·me·le·on·ic [kuh-mee-lee-on-ik] /kəˌmi liˈɒn ɪk/, adjective cha·me·le·on·like, adjectiveWords nearby chameleon
Definition for chameleon (2 of 2)
Chamaeleon
[ kuh-mee-lee-uh n, -meel-yuh n ]
/ kəˈmi li ən, -ˈmil yən /
noun, genitive Cha·mae·le·on·tis [kuh-mee-lee-on-tis] /kəˌmi liˈɒn tɪs/. Astronomy.
a small southern constellation between Musca and Hydrus.
Also
Cha·me·le·on.
Origin of Chamaeleon
From Latin
Example sentences from the Web for chameleon
British Dictionary definitions for chameleon (1 of 2)
chameleon
/ (kəˈmiːlɪən) /
noun
any lizard of the family Chamaeleontidae of Africa and Madagascar, having long slender legs, a prehensile tail and tongue, and the ability to change colour
a changeable or fickle person
Derived forms of chameleon
chameleonic (kəˌmiːlɪˈɒnɪk), adjective chameleon-like, adjectiveWord Origin for chameleon
C14: from Latin
chamaeleon, from Greek
khamaileōn, from
khamai on the ground +
leōn
lion
British Dictionary definitions for chameleon (2 of 2)
Chamaeleon
/ (kəˈmiːlɪən) /
noun Latin genitive Chamaeleontis (kəˌmiːlɪˈɒntɪs)
a faint constellation lying between Volans and the South celestial pole