Definitions for chameleon
kəˈmi li ən, -ˈmil yənchameleon

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. chameleonnoun

   a changeable or inconstant person

2. Chamaeleon, Chameleonnoun

   a faint constellation in the polar region of the southern hemisphere near Apus and Mensa

3. chameleon, chamaeleonnoun

   lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color and having a projectile tongue

GCIDERate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Chameleonnoun

   a person who changes opinions, ideas, or behavior to suit the prevailing social climate; an opportunist.

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. chameleonnoun

   A small to mid-size reptile, of the family Chamaeleonidae, and one of the best known lizard families able to change color and project its long tongue.

2. chameleonnoun

   A person with inconstant behavior; one able to quickly adjust to new circumstances.

3. chameleonadjective

   Describing something that changes color.

   The wall was covered with a chameleon paint.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Chameleonnoun

   The chameleon has four feet, and on each foot three claws. Its tail is long; with this, as well as with its feet, it fastens itself to the branches of trees. Its tail is flat, its nose long, and made in an obtuse point; its back is sharp, its skin plaited, and jagged like a saw from the neck to the last joint of the tail, and upon its head it has something like a comb; like a fish, it has no neck. Some have asserted, that it lives only upon air; but it has been observed to feed on flies, catched with its tongue, which is about ten inches long, and three thick; made of white flesh, round, but flat at the end; or hollow and open, resembling an elephant’s trunk. It also shrinks, and grows longer. This animal is said to assume the colour of those things to which it is applied; but our modern observers assure us, that its natural colour, when at rest and in the shade, is a bluish grey; though some are yellow, and others green, but both of a smaller kind. When it is exposed to the sun, the grey changes into a darker grey, inclining to a dun colour, and its parts, which have least of the light upon them, are changed into spots of different colours. The grain of its skin, when the light doth not shine upon it, is like cloth mixed with many colours. Sometimes when it is handled, it seems to be speckled with dark spots, inclining to green. If it be put upon a black hat, it appears to be of a violet colour; and sometimes if it be wrapped up in linen, when it is taken off, it is white; but it changes colour only in some parts of the body. Augustin Calmet

   Etymology: χαμάιλεων.

   A chameleon is a creature about the bigness of an ordinary lizard; his head unproportionably big, and his eyes great; he moveth his head without writhing of his neck, which is inflexible, as a hog doth; his back crooked, his skin spotted with little tumours, less eminent nearer the belly; his tail slender and long; on each foot he hath five fingers, three on the outside, and two on the inside; his tongue of a marvellous length in respect of his body, and hollow at the end, which he will launch out to prey upon flies; of colour green, and of a dusky yellow, brighter and whiter towards the belly; yet spotted with blue, white, and red. Francis Bacon, Natural History, №. 360.

   I can add colours ev’n to the chameleon;
   Change shapes with Proteus, for advantage. William Shakespeare, Hen. VI.

   One part devours the other, and leaves not so much as a mouthful of that popular air, which the chameleons gasp after. Decay of Piety.

   The thin chameleon, fed with air, receives
   The colour of the thing to which he cleaves. Dryden.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Chameleon

   Chameleons or chamaeleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 200 species described as of June 2022. The members of this family are best known for their distinct range of colors, being capable of shifting to different hues and degrees of brightness. The large number of species in the family exhibit considerable variability in their capacity to change color. For some, it is more of a shift of brightness (shades of brown); for others, a plethora of color-combinations (reds, yellows, greens, blues) can be seen. Chameleons are distinguished by their zygodactylous feet, their prehensile tail, their laterally compressed bodies, their head casques, their projectile tongues, their swaying gait, and crests or horns on their brow and snout. Chameleons' eyes are independently mobile, and because of this there are two separate, individual images that the brain is analyzing of the chameleon’s environment. When hunting prey, they focus forward in coordination, affording the animal stereoscopic vision. Chameleons are adapted for climbing and visual hunting. The use of their prehensile tail offers stability when they are moving or resting while on a branch in the canopy; because of this, their tail is often referred to as a "fifth limb." Another character that is advantageous for being arboreal is how laterally compressed their bodies are; it is important for them to distribute their weight as evenly as possible as it confers stability on twigs and branches in the trees. They live in warm habitats that range from rainforest to desert conditions, with various species occurring in Africa, Madagascar, southern Europe, and across southern Asia as far as Sri Lanka. They have been introduced to Hawaii, California, and Florida.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. chameleon

   A chameleon is a type of lizard that is known for its ability to change its color to match its surroundings as a defense mechanism. They are found primarily in Africa and Madagascar, but there are also species in southern Europe, Sri Lanka, and India. Chameleons have unique features including long, sticky tongues used to catch insects and their eyes can swivel independently, allowing them to observe their environment effectively. Their distinctive feet are adapted for gripping branches. The size of chameleons can vary dramatically, ranging from a tiny 1.3 cm species to larger species of up to 68.5 cm.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Chameleonnoun

   a lizardlike reptile of the genus Chamaeleo, of several species, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The skin is covered with fine granulations; the tail is prehensile, and the body is much compressed laterally, giving it a high back

2. Etymology: [L. Chamaeleon, Gr. chamaile`wn, lit., ground lion; chamai` on the ground + le`wn lion. See Humble, and Lion.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Chameleon

   Chameleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of lizards. The approximately 160 species of chameleon come in a range of colors, including pink, blue, red, orange, turquoise, yellow, and green. They are distinguished by their zygodactylous feet; their separately mobile, stereoscopic eyes; their very long, highly modified, rapidly extrudable tongues; their swaying gait; and crests or horns on their distinctively shaped heads. Some species can change color, and many have a prehensile tail. Uniquely adapted for climbing and visual hunting, they are found in warm habitats that vary from rain forest to desert conditions—in Africa, Madagascar, and southern Europe, and across south Asia as far as Sri Lanka. They have also been introduced to Hawaii, California, and Florida, and are often kept as household pets.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Chameleon

   ka-mēl′yun, n. a small lizard famous for changing its colour: (fig.) an inconstant person.—adjs. Chamel′eonic, Chamel′eon-like. [L. chamæleon—Gr. chamaileōn—chamai (= L. humi), on the ground, dwarf, and leōn, a lion.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. chameleon

   Chameleon (noun) a kind of lizard that changes the color when enemy approach.

   Chameleon a person who often alters his/her trust or behavior in order to please a bigwig .

   
   

   Submitted by pinkss5 on October 21, 2015  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. chameleon

   Song lyrics by chameleon -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by chameleon on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Constellation
   • Lizard
   • Person

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

1. [["1693","1"],["1723","1"],["1754","2"],["1763","1"],["1765","6"],["1766","1"],["1769","3"],["1770","3"],["1775","1"],["1776","1"],["1777","1"],["1778","1"],["1780","1"],["1782","2"],["1784","3"],["1785","1"],["1787","2"],["1788","8"],["1789","1"],["1790","1"],["1792","8"],["1793","3"],["1794","4"],["1796","1"],["1797","2"],["1798","2"],["1799","7"],["1800","7"],["1801","22"],["1802","1"],["1803","39"],["1804","9"],["1805","4"],["1806","19"],["1807","43"],["1808","21"],["1809","26"],["1810","20"],["1811","4"],["1812","17"],["1813","13"],["1814","26"],["1815","26"],["1816","17"],["1817","16"],["1818","41"],["1819","29"],["1820","25"],["1821","47"],["1822","28"],["1823","62"],["1824","58"],["1825","90"],["1826","47"],["1827","53"],["1828","54"],["1829","68"],["1830","100"],["1831","69"],["1832","61"],["1833","88"],["1834","129"],["1835","182"],["1836","113"],["1837","91"],["1838","133"],["1839","127"],["1840","125"],["1841","98"],["1842","98"],["1843","106"],["1844","101"],["1845","130"],["1846","137"],["1847","131"],["1848","117"],["1849","152"],["1850","175"],["1851","211"],["1852","294"],["1853","210"],["1854","247"],["1855","176"],["1856","249"],["1857","169"],["1858","173"],["1859","189"],["1860","295"],["1861","161"],["1862","125"],["1863","368"],["1864","224"],["1865","167"],["1866","234"],["1867","215"],["1868","284"],["1869","190"],["1870","249"],["1871","198"],["1872","233"],["1873","171"],["1874","250"],["1875","232"],["1876","311"],["1877","175"],["1878","240"],["1879","283"],["1880","378"],["1881","295"],["1882","353"],["1883","284"],["1884","490"],["1885","413"],["1886","252"],["1887","469"],["1888","286"],["1889","330"],["1890","425"],["1891","377"],["1892","319"],["1893","271"],["1894","296"],["1895","438"],["1896","354"],["1897","367"],["1898","470"],["1899","486"],["1900","493"],["1901","447"],["1902","413"],["1903","367"],["1904","505"],["1905","480"],["1906","554"],["1907","480"],["1908","504"],["1909","509"],["1910","703"],["1911","409"],["1912","455"],["1913","616"],["1914","460"],["1915","357"],["1916","330"],["1917","363"],["1918","354"],["1919","441"],["1920","612"],["1921","412"],["1922","446"],["1923","452"],["1924","373"],["1925","432"],["1926","562"],["1927","517"],["1928","417"],["1929","447"],["1930","565"],["1931","657"],["1932","465"],["1933","447"],["1934","370"],["1935","476"],["1936","668"],["1937","525"],["1938","522"],["1939","450"],["1940","626"],["1941","340"],["1942","452"],["1943","301"],["1944","443"],["1945","314"],["1946","512"],["1947","593"],["1948","655"],["1949","592"],["1950","620"],["1951","818"],["1952","669"],["1953","530"],["1954","565"],["1955","706"],["1956","667"],["1957","788"],["1958","903"],["1959","929"],["1960","866"],["1961","917"],["1962","1204"],["1963","1108"],["1964","1060"],["1965","1182"],["1966","1373"],["1967","1365"],["1968","1961"],["1969","1438"],["1970","1577"],["1971","1476"],["1972","1521"],["1973","1615"],["1974","1377"],["1975","1470"],["1976","1697"],["1977","2079"],["1978","1548"],["1979","1584"],["1980","1567"],["1981","2001"],["1982","1768"],["1983","1887"],["1984","2057"],["1985","2072"],["1986","2283"],["1987","2482"],["1988","2416"],["1989","3095"],["1990","2885"],["1991","3286"],["1992","3050"],["1993","3103"],["1994","3648"],["1995","4594"],["1996","4081"],["1997","4136"],["1998","4476"],["1999","5091"],["2000","5961"],["2001","6009"],["2002","6177"],["2003","7035"],["2004","7929"],["2005","7534"],["2006","7287"],["2007","8240"],["2008","9390"]]

How to pronounce chameleon?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say chameleon in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of chameleon in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of chameleon in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of chameleon in a Sentence

1. Awakening Beaconing:

   Chameleon on being crowned shamelessly said that he would jointly work with those animals, whom he used to say beast and rebuke earlier, for the peace and progress of the jungle.

2. Tim Davenport:

   Along with our discoveries of the Kipunji, Matilda's horned viper and other reptiles and frogs, this new chameleon really seals the deal as regards the boundary of the Eastern Arcs, it is very clear now that the so-called Makambako Gap doesn't exist zoologically, and that the Southern Highlands is every bit as biodiverse and endemic-rich as all other Eastern Arc Mountains. With its own unique fauna and flora the region thus warrants as much protection as we can possibly afford it.

3. Rose Goodhall:

   A good model isn't just about being pretty or even beautiful, it's the ability to be a chameleon and change and adapt to the situation or setting of a photo shoot.

4. Anais Nin, House of Incest:

   I looked with chameleon eyes upon the changing face of the world, looked with anonymous vision upon my uncompleted self.

5. John Smoltz:

   This is just a humbling experience for me, i'm like a chameleon of finding a way to get it done in my career.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=chameleon
2. ^ GCIDE
   https://gcide.gnu.org.ua/?q=chameleon
3. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Chameleon
4. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=chameleon
5. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chameleon
6. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
7. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chameleon
8. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=chameleon
9. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=chameleon
10. ^ Usage in printed sources
    https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=chameleon