amphibian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral; technical in biological contexts; specialized in engineering/aviation contexts.
Quick answer
What does “amphibian” mean?
A cold-blooded vertebrate animal that lives in water when young (breathing through gills) and typically lives on land as an adult (breathing through lungs). Examples include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cold-blooded vertebrate animal that lives in water when young (breathing through gills) and typically lives on land as an adult (breathing through lungs). Examples include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
1. A vehicle capable of operating on land and water. 2. An aircraft capable of taking off from and landing on both land and water. 3. (Informal/figurative) A person or thing adaptable to two different environments or spheres.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. British English may show slightly higher frequency in metaphorical use ('an amphibian between two worlds'). US English may have slightly higher frequency in military/engineering contexts for vehicles.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties for biological term. Slightly more technical/niche for vehicle/aircraft uses.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday conversation; moderate in educational/biological contexts; low in other contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “amphibian” in a Sentence
The [noun] is an amphibian.[Amphibian] populations are declining.The [vehicle/aircraft] is a true amphibian.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amphibian” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The common frog is a well-known British amphibian.
- The company developed a new amphibian for Arctic exploration.
- He felt like an amphibian, equally comfortable in the lab and the field.
American English
- The spotted salamander is a protected amphibian in this state.
- The Marines used amphibians to reach the beachhead.
- As a diplomat's child, she was a social amphibian.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries (e.g., 'amphibious aircraft for remote logistics').
Academic
Common in biology, ecology, environmental science. Technical in engineering.
Everyday
Moderate in educational contexts (school, documentaries). Low in casual conversation.
Technical
Precise zoological classification. Specific term in vehicle/aircraft design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amphibian”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amphibian”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amphibian”
- Using 'amphibian' as a general adjective (use 'amphibious'). Confusing with 'reptile'. Misspelling as 'amphibion' or 'amphibean'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Amphibian' is primarily a noun (the animal/vehicle). 'Amphibious' is an adjective describing something capable of operating on land and water (e.g., amphibious assault, amphibious vehicle). 'Amphibious' can also describe the animals.
No. Turtles are reptiles. While some turtles are aquatic, they do not have the gill-breathing larval stage and a lung-breathing adult stage that defines amphibians. They hatch from eggs on land with lungs.
Not in standard biological classification. The term is specific to a class of vertebrates (Amphibia). Some plants may be described as 'amphibious' (able to live in water or on land) but are not called 'amphibians'.
Use it to describe a person, organization, or thing that functions effectively in two different, often contrasting, environments or fields (e.g., 'She is an amphibian between the academic and business worlds'). This usage is somewhat literary.
A cold-blooded vertebrate animal that lives in water when young (breathing through gills) and typically lives on land as an adult (breathing through lungs). Examples include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
Amphibian is usually formal to neutral; technical in biological contexts; specialized in engineering/aviation contexts. in register.
Amphibian: in British English it is pronounced /æmˈfɪb.i.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /æmˈfɪb.i.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'AMPHI' (both) + 'BIAN' (life/living) → a creature living both in water and on land.
Conceptual Metaphor
AMPHIBIAN AS ADAPTABILITY / TRANSITION: Used to describe anything or anyone that operates successfully in two different realms (e.g., 'She was a cultural amphibian, at home in both countries').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the core meaning of 'amphibian'?