reptiles
reptiles — noun
- reptilessingular
- reptilesesplural
1. a group of cold-blooded animals that stay warm by lying in the sun or staying in
a group of cold-blooded animals that stay warm by lying in the sun or staying in hot places. They have scales or hard plates on their skin, breathe air, and most types lay eggs. Snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles are all reptiles.
Reptiles like snakes and lizards spend hours lying in the sun to warm their bodies.
collocation: lie in the sun / warm their bodies
Many reptiles, such as sea turtles, lay their eggs in holes they dig on sandy beaches.
pattern: such as + specific reptile type
The desert is home to many reptiles, including Gila monsters and sidewinder rattlesnakes.
In biology class, Nila learned that reptiles have dry, scaly skin and breathe through lungs.
Some reptiles, including the komodo dragon and the saltwater crocodile, can grow very large.
- cold-blooded animals
broader category that also includes amphibians and fish; useful in informal contexts but less precise than 'reptiles'
- scaly creatures
informal description focusing on reptile skin; not a scientific term
- mammals
warm-blooded animals that usually give birth to live young and feed their babies milk
- amphibians
cold-blooded like reptiles but with smooth, moist skin and a life cycle that starts in water
用法筆記
Reptiles is the plural form. The singular form is reptile (for example: A crocodile is a reptile). When talking about the animal class as a whole, the plural form is most common.