crocodile

IPA/ˈkrɒkədaɪl/
KK[krˈɑkədˌaɪl]IPA/ˈkrɑːkədaɪl/

crocodile — noun

  • crocodilesingular
  • crocodilesplural

1. The crocodile is one of the biggest reptiles on Earth, known for its long, narro

1.nounA2
Definition

The crocodile is one of the biggest reptiles on Earth, known for its long, narrow snout, extremely powerful bite, and tough, scaly skin. It makes its home in warm rivers, swamps, and lakes in many tropical countries.

Example

A large crocodile lay still beside the river, waiting for a fish to swim past.

collocation: lie still beside [river]

Adina's class watched a crocodile slide into the water at the zoo.

Common collocations
  • Nile crocodile
  • saltwater crocodile
  • crocodile farm
  • crocodile attack
  • crocodile habitat
  • swim with crocodiles
  • feed the crocodile
  • hunt crocodiles
  • save the crocodile
Synonyms
  • alligator

    A similar reptile with a shorter, wider snout; found in different regions.

  • caiman

    A smaller relative of the crocodile, found in Central and South America.

Usage Note

Often appears with a specific type name: Nile crocodile, saltwater crocodile, or freshwater crocodile.

Common Mistakes

I saw an alligator in Australia.
I saw a crocodile in Australia.
Alligators live mainly in the Americas and China; crocodiles are found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. They differ in snout shape and tooth placement.

2. A line formed by people who walk together two by two, one pair behind another —

2.nounB2
Definition

A line formed by people who walk together two by two, one pair behind another — a common way for school classes and camp groups to move between places in a safe, organised manner.

Example

The children walked in a crocodile from the classroom to the sports field.

pattern: in a crocodile

Each morning the teacher led a crocodile of students across the main road.

collocation: lead a crocodile of [people]

Common collocations
  • walk in a crocodile
  • form a crocodile
  • lead a crocodile
  • a crocodile of children
  • a crocodile of students
Synonyms
  • procession

    A more general term for people moving in an orderly line, not limited to pairs.

  • single file

    A line where people walk one behind another, not in pairs.

Usage Note

This sense is primarily British English and is used mainly in school or group settings. It is typically used with the indefinite article: a crocodile.

3. The skin of a crocodile that has been treated and turned into a strong, patterne

3.nounB1
Definition

The skin of a crocodile that has been treated and turned into a strong, patterned material for making luxury items such as shoes, bags, belts, and wallets.

Example

Meera bought a brown wallet made from genuine crocodile leather.

collocation: genuine crocodile leather

The shop sells belts in both real crocodile skin and a cheaper fake version.

Common collocations
  • genuine crocodile
  • crocodile-leather bag
  • crocodile-skin shoes
  • crocodile hide
  • fake crocodile
  • crocodile trade
Synonyms
  • crocodile leather

    Exactly the same meaning; 'leather' adds clarity about the material.

  • crocodile hide

    Slightly more informal; 'hide' emphasises the raw, untreated skin origin.

Usage Note

Can be used as a modifier in noun compounds (crocodile-skin shoes, crocodile-leather bag). When referring to the material itself, it is uncountable: 'This bag is made of crocodile.'

Common Mistakes

I like the crocodile shoe in the window.' (ambiguous)
I like the crocodile-skin shoe in the window.
'crocodile shoe' could mean a shoe shaped like the animal. Use 'crocodile-skin' or 'crocodile leather' for clarity.
Idioms

crocodile tears

idiom

A show of sadness that is not genuine or sincere.

Maya shed crocodile tears when her rival lost the competition.

Did you believe his crocodile tears during the apology?

Word family

  • crocodilian
    adjectiveC1
  • crocodilian
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three are large reptiles that look similar, but they differ in snout shape, habitat, and tooth placement. A crocodile has a long, narrow V-shaped snout, and its lower teeth are visible even when its mouth is closed. An alligator has a short, wide U-shaped snout, and its lower teeth are hidden when its mouth is shut. Alligators live mainly in the southern United States and China. A caiman is smaller and lives in Central and South America; it has a bony ridge across its nose. For everyday conversation, 'crocodile' is the most common word, but if you visit Florida you are far more likely to see an alligator. In Australia or Africa, any large water reptile you encounter will almost certainly be a crocodile.

crocodile ↗alligator ↗caiman ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • crocodile population
  • crocodile species
  • crocodile farm
  • crocodile trade
  • crocodile habitat

Phrases

  • like a crocodile

Prepositions

  • crocodile in [the river/lake]
  • crocodile of [children]

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'crocodile' entered English through Latin 'crocodilus', from Greek 'krokodeilos' (κροκόδειλος). The Greek name may combine 'krokē' (κρόκη, meaning pebbles) and 'drilos' (δρῖλος, meaning worm), possibly describing the animal as it looks when lying on pebble-covered riverbanks. The spelling changed through Old French 'cocodrille' before settling into modern English 'crocodile' in the 16th century.