alligator

IPA/ˈælɪɡeɪtə(r)/
KK[ˈæləɡˌetɚ]IPA/ˈælɪɡeɪtər/

alligator — noun

  • alligatorsingular
  • alligatorsplural

1. a large reptile with thick, hard skin, a long tail, and very strong jaws. Alliga

1.nounB1
Definition

a large reptile with thick, hard skin, a long tail, and very strong jaws. Alligators live in or near rivers, lakes, and swamps in warm parts of the Americas and China. They have a wider, rounder snout than crocodiles.

Example

Theo spotted a large alligator lying on the muddy riverbank near his kayak.

collocation: spotted an alligator

Alligators usually hunt at night, when their prey cannot see them clearly in the dark water.

general fact pattern: alligators + verb (present simple)

Common collocations
  • alligator + [verb]: bites, swims, basks, hunts, snaps, attacks
  • [adjective] + alligator: wild, giant, huge, adult, baby, American, Chinese
  • alligator + [noun]: population, farm, hunter, habitat, swamp, nest, attack
Synonyms
  • caiman

    a smaller relative of the alligator, found in Central and South America — not the same animal

Grammar Patterns

a [size/age] alligator

alligators [verb indicating animal behaviour]

Usage Note

Countable noun. The plural form 'alligators' is common when referring to the species in general. Often confused with 'crocodile' — an alligator has a wider, U-shaped snout and lives only in the Americas and China, while crocodiles have a narrower, V-shaped snout and are found in many tropical regions worldwide.

Common Mistakes

I saw a crocodile in Florida.
I saw an alligator in Florida.
Alligators are native to Florida; crocodiles are much rarer there and live mainly in coastal saltwater areas.

2. strong, expensive leather made from the skin of alligators, used to make high-en

2.nounB2
Definition

strong, expensive leather made from the skin of alligators, used to make high-end shoes, bags, belts, wallets, and other luxury accessories.

Example

Priya bought a beautiful brown alligator belt for her father's sixtieth birthday.

attributive noun: alligator + belt

The store sells wallets, shoes, and bags made from genuine alligator skin.

passive: made from genuine alligator skin

Common collocations
  • [adjective] + alligator: genuine, real, soft, supple, brown, black, embossed, textured
  • alligator + [noun]: bag, belt, wallet, shoes, boots, skin, leather, hide, handbag, watch strap
  • [verb] + alligator: buy, sell, wear, carry, craft, stitch, import, export
Synonyms
  • crocodile leather

    similar luxury leather from crocodiles, often considered of slightly lower quality than alligator leather

  • exotic leather

    a broader category that includes alligator alongside ostrich, snake, and lizard leathers

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] alligator [noun]

[verb] [noun] made of alligator

[noun] in genuine alligator

Usage Note

Uncountable noun when referring to the material ('a bag made of alligator'). When used as an attributive noun ('an alligator bag'), it describes the material the item is made from, not a bag for carrying the animal. This sense is common in the fashion and luxury goods industries.

Common Mistakes

She carried a crocodile handbag.' (when meaning alligator leather)
She carried an alligator handbag.
Genuine alligator and crocodile leather come from different animals and are priced differently; traders use specific labels.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Alligators and crocodiles are often confused, but several features set them apart. An alligator has a wide, U-shaped snout, while a crocodile's snout is narrower and V-shaped. When an alligator closes its mouth, its lower teeth are mostly hidden; a crocodile's lower teeth remain visible on both sides of its upper jaw. Alligators prefer freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and swamps, and are found only in the southeastern United States and eastern China. Crocodiles tolerate saltwater better and live in tropical regions across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. Caimans are smaller relatives of alligators, found in Central and South America; they have a more bony ridge between their eyes. For example: 'The tour guide pointed out a sunbathing alligator in the Florida swamp, then later showed us a saltwater crocodile near the coast.'

alligator ↗crocodile ↗caiman ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • alligator-infested waters
  • alligator wrestling
  • alligator breeding program

Etymology

SpanishEnglish

The word 'alligator' entered English in the 16th century from the Spanish phrase 'el lagarto', meaning 'the lizard'. Spanish explorers and settlers in the Americas used this term for the large reptile they encountered in Florida and nearby regions. Over time, 'el lagarto' was Anglicised into 'alligator'. The scientific name 'Alligator mississippiensis' reflects the Mississippi River region where the American species is common.