Illustration of toad
- toad 1
1
: any of numerous anuran amphibians (especially family Bufonidae) that are distinguished from the related frogs by being more terrestrial in habit though returning to water to lay their eggs, by having a build that is squatter and shorter with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry, and warty rather than smooth and moist
2
: a contemptible person or thing
Examples of toad in a Sentence
He's such a mean little toad.
that miserable toad is lucky to have even a single friend
Recent Examples on the Web
The frogs belonged mostly to common species, such as the common frog and common toad, which are still found in Britain today.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
This serpent, native to East and Southeast Asia, feeds on poisonous toads that contain the neurotoxic compound bufadienolide.
—Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025
Invasive frogs and toads bully the smaller amphibians into decline.
—Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
One toad has a sandy brown body that seems to blend in with the surrounding rock.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
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Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
This serpent, native to East and Southeast Asia, feeds on poisonous toads that contain the neurotoxic compound bufadienolide.
—Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025
Invasive frogs and toads bully the smaller amphibians into decline.
—Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
One toad has a sandy brown body that seems to blend in with the surrounding rock.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toad
Cite this Entry
“Toad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toad. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
toad
noun
: any of numerous tailless leaping amphibians that lay their eggs in water and are distinguished from the related frogs by living on land more often, by having a build that is shorter and thicker with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry and warty rather than smooth and moist
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