chameleon

noun

cha·me·leon kə-ˈmēl-yən How to pronounce chameleon (audio)

often attributive

: any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal (see arboreal sense 2) Old World lizards with prehensile (see prehensile sense 1) tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual ability to change the color of the skin

: a person who often changes his or her beliefs or behavior in order to please others or to succeed

She's a political chameleon.

: one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance

Tourmaline is the chameleon of the gem kingdom because it can assume virtually any color.

: american chameleon

chameleonic

kə-ˌmē-lē-ˈä-nik How to pronounce chameleon (audio)

adjective

chameleonlike

kə-ˈmēl-yən-ˌlīk How to pronounce chameleon (audio)

adjective

Did you know?

The chameleon is probably best known for the ability to change colors - but when the ancients named this lizard, they apparently had other qualities in mind. "Chameleon" comes to us, via Latin, from Greek chamaileōn, a combination of "chamai" ("on the ground") and "leōn" ("lion") - a tribute, perhaps, to the lizard's fearsome aspect. It is the ability of the chameleon to change colors, however, that has led to the figurative use of "chameleon" for someone or something that is quick to change. Such figurative use dates back to at least the late 16th century, as demonstrated by King James VI who, writing in 1586 or 1587, requested "I praye you not to takk me to be a Camelion."

Example Sentences

at the summer resort he acquired a reputation as a social chameleon—someone who could be whatever his hosts wanted him to be

Recent Examples on the Web Billie Eilish has always been a bit of a style chameleon.

Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 4 Apr. 2022 Even a selective overview reveals a woman gifted with a chameleon-like ability to reinvent herself -- and underscores the futility of any attempt to pigeonhole a person's experience based on their most visible triumphs or misfortunes.

Holly Thomas, CNN, 10 Aug. 2022 Yet perhaps more than any drug route, my father was best known for not being known, for being a chameleon to those who loved him most.

Kristen Mcguiness, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2022 Tasting these wines provides clarity: Vermentino is a chameleon.

Tom Mullen, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Willow Smith is a 'cut chameleon, always open to switching up her hair.

Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 25 July 2022 Who: Pop innovator, dance diva, cultural chameleon, torch singer, movie and TV actress, Oscar winner.

Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 11 June 2022 Solomon is like a chameleon who adapts to a variety of cultures.

Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 June 2022 One through line is the carnival tradition, which recurs, chameleon-like, in everything from a eighteenth-century landscape of Dutch Suriname to a crowded village masquerade painted by the mid-century Haïtian artist Sénèque Obin.

Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 4 May 2022 See More

单词	chameleons
释义	chameleon noun cha·me·leon kə-ˈmēl-yən often attributive 1 : any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal (see arboreal sense 2) Old World lizards with prehensile (see prehensile sense 1) tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual ability to change the color of the skin 2 a : a person who often changes his or her beliefs or behavior in order to please others or to succeed She's a political chameleon. b : one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance Tourmaline is the chameleon of the gem kingdom because it can assume virtually any color. 3 : american chameleon chameleonic kə-ˌmē-lē-ˈä-nik adjective chameleonlike kə-ˈmēl-yən-ˌlīk adjective Did you know? The chameleon is probably best known for the ability to change colors - but when the ancients named this lizard, they apparently had other qualities in mind. "Chameleon" comes to us, via Latin, from Greek chamaileōn, a combination of "chamai" ("on the ground") and "leōn" ("lion") - a tribute, perhaps, to the lizard's fearsome aspect. It is the ability of the chameleon to change colors, however, that has led to the figurative use of "chameleon" for someone or something that is quick to change. Such figurative use dates back to at least the late 16th century, as demonstrated by King James VI who, writing in 1586 or 1587, requested "I praye you not to takk me to be a Camelion." Synonyms acrobat chancer [British] opportunist temporizer timeserver trimmer weathercock See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences at the summer resort he acquired a reputation as a social chameleon—someone who could be whatever his hosts wanted him to be Recent Examples on the Web Billie Eilish has always been a bit of a style chameleon. Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 4 Apr. 2022 Even a selective overview reveals a woman gifted with a chameleon-like ability to reinvent herself -- and underscores the futility of any attempt to pigeonhole a person's experience based on their most visible triumphs or misfortunes. Holly Thomas, CNN, 10 Aug. 2022 Yet perhaps more than any drug route, my father was best known for not being known, for being a chameleon to those who loved him most. Kristen Mcguiness, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2022 Tasting these wines provides clarity: Vermentino is a chameleon. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Willow Smith is a 'cut chameleon, always open to switching up her hair. Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 25 July 2022 Who: Pop innovator, dance diva, cultural chameleon, torch singer, movie and TV actress, Oscar winner. Mary Colurso \| Mcolurso@al.com, al, 11 June 2022 Solomon is like a chameleon who adapts to a variety of cultures. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 June 2022 One through line is the carnival tradition, which recurs, chameleon-like, in everything from a eighteenth-century landscape of Dutch Suriname to a crowded village masquerade painted by the mid-century Haïtian artist Sénèque Obin. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 4 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English camelion, from Middle French, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek chamaileōn, from chamai on the ground + leōn lion — more at humble First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing chameleon American chameleon chameleon cichlid American chameleon chameleon cichlid Kids Definition chameleon noun cha·me·leon kə-ˈmēl-yən : a lizard that has the ability to change the color of its skin chameleons noun plural of chameleon as in opportunists a person who dexterously and expediently changes or adopts opinions at the summer resort he acquired a reputation as a social chameleon—someone who could be whatever his hosts wanted him to be Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance opportunists acrobats weathercocks machinators timeservers egotists egoists schemers trimmers temporizers chancers self-seekers connivers plotters
随便看	overchute overcivilized overclad overclaim overclaimed overclaiming overclaims overclass overclassification overclassifications overclassified overclassifies overclassify overclassifying overclean overcleaned overcleaning overcleans overclear overcleared overclearing overclears overclock overclocked overclocking

chameleon

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing chameleon

Kids Definition

noun

noun