crab spider: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-Low (specialist/naturalist contexts); Low (general usage).Technical (zoology, entomology), Naturalist, Educational.
Quick answer
What does “crab spider” mean?
A family (Thomisidae) of spiders that do not spin webs, but are ambush predators that often resemble or move sideways like a crab.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A family (Thomisidae) of spiders that do not spin webs, but are ambush predators that often resemble or move sideways like a crab.
A spider characterized by a flattened body, front legs often longer and held in a crab-like stance, and ability to walk sideways; known for camouflage and ambushing prey on flowers or bark.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is identical in both varieties. Concept is universally understood in English-speaking scientific communities.
Connotations
Neutral, descriptive. Evokes imagery of sideways movement and camouflaged hunters in gardens or woods.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language. Slightly higher in regions with active naturalist groups or educational outreach.
Grammar
How to Use “crab spider” in a Sentence
[observe/spot/identify] a crab spiderThe crab spider [ambushes/walts/camouflages]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crab spider” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The crab-spider morphology is fascinating.
- We studied crab-spider predation techniques.
American English
- The crab-spider anatomy is fascinating.
- We studied crab-spider hunting behaviors.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biological/zoological texts, field guides, and ecology papers.
Everyday
Used by gardeners, nature enthusiasts, or in educational settings like school projects.
Technical
Standard term in arachnology and invertebrate biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crab spider”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crab spider”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crab spider”
- Using 'crab spider' to refer to a spider that lives near crabs or water.
- Confusing with 'harvestman' (daddy longlegs) which also can have a crab-like shape.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, crab spiders are not considered dangerous. Their venom is not medically significant to humans, and they are not aggressive.
They are named for their crab-like appearance: a flattened, often broad body, and their ability to walk sideways or backwards, similar to a crab.
They are found worldwide in a variety of habitats, but are commonly seen on flowers, leaves, or tree bark where their camouflage is most effective.
No, colour-changing ability is known in certain genera, like Misumena (flower crab spiders), but it is not a trait of all crab spider species.
A family (Thomisidae) of spiders that do not spin webs, but are ambush predators that often resemble or move sideways like a crab.
Crab spider is usually technical (zoology, entomology), naturalist, educational. in register.
Crab spider: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkræb ˌspaɪ.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkræb ˌspaɪ.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny SPIDER that scuttles SIDEWAYS like a CRAB, waiting in a flower to grab a bee.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIDER IS A CRAB (based on shape and locomotion).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary hunting method of a crab spider?