turtle

IPA/ˈtɜːtl/
KK[tˈɚtəl]IPA/ˈtɜːrtl/

turtle — noun

  • turtlesingular
  • turtlesplural

1. a large ocean-dwelling animal with a hard rounded shell covering most of its bod

1.nounA2
Definition

a large ocean-dwelling animal with a hard rounded shell covering most of its body. It can pull its head, legs, and tail inside for protection and goes onto beaches to lay its eggs.

Example

Maeve saw a large sea turtle swimming near the coral reef.

collocation: sea turtle

The beach is protected because sea turtles lay their eggs there every year.

passive: beach is protected for egg-laying

Common collocations
  • sea turtle
  • green turtle
  • leatherback turtle
  • loggerhead turtle
  • turtle shell
  • turtle eggs
  • turtle conservation
  • turtle nesting
Synonyms
  • sea turtle

    the full name, used to distinguish from freshwater or land species

  • marine turtle

    more formal or scientific term for sea-dwelling turtles

Usage Note

Distinguish from 'tortoise' (land-dwelling) and 'terrapin' (freshwater). In American English, 'turtle' can refer to all shelled reptiles; in British English, 'turtle' usually means only sea-dwelling species.

Common Mistakes

I saw a turtle walking slowly across the desert.
I saw a tortoise walking slowly across the desert.
Tortoises live on land; turtles live mainly in water.

2. a freshwater reptile protected by a hard shell. It comes onto land to lay eggs a

2.nounA2
Definition

a freshwater reptile protected by a hard shell. It comes onto land to lay eggs and can tuck its head and limbs into the shell for safety.

Example

Zuri watched a small turtle climb onto a rock in the middle of the pond.

The children caught a turtle in the river and showed it to their teacher.

Common collocations
  • snapping turtle
  • painted turtle
  • red-eared slider
  • pet turtle
  • turtle tank
  • pond turtle
Synonyms
  • terrapin

    the term for edible freshwater turtles, common in British and Southern US English

  • pond turtle

    a general name for turtles living in still water

Usage Note

In British English, freshwater turtles are more often called 'terrapins.' In American English, 'turtle' is the common term for both sea and freshwater species.

Common Mistakes

We saw a turtle on the farm walking through the grass.
We saw a tortoise on the farm walking through the grass.
If the animal lives only on land, it is a tortoise, not a turtle.

3. any member of the reptile group Testudines, which have a hard bony or leathery s

3.nounB1
Definition

any member of the reptile group Testudines, which have a hard bony or leathery shell covering the body, and includes sea turtles, land tortoises, and freshwater terrapins.

Example

Meera learned that turtles, tortoises, and terrapins all belong to the same reptile group.

collocation: belong to the same [group]

Many species of turtle have shells hard enough to block attacks from predators.

Common collocations
  • species of turtle
  • turtle species
  • turtle population
  • turtle conservation
  • ancient turtle
Synonyms
  • chelonian

    the formal scientific term for any member of the order Testudines

  • testudine

    a technical adjective or noun used in zoology

Usage Note

Typically used in scientific or general-classification contexts. The subject is often a plural noun or preceded by 'species of' or 'types of.' Distinguish from the everyday sense (sense 1 or 2) where 'turtle' refers to a specific habitat type.

Common Mistakes

A tortoise is a type of turtle with a flat shell for swimming.
A tortoise is a type of turtle with a domed shell and strong legs for walking on land.
Tortoises are land-dwelling turtles with differently shaped shells and limbs.

4. a piece of clothing, usually a knitted top, with a high collar that fits closely

4.nounB1
Definition

a piece of clothing, usually a knitted top, with a high collar that fits closely around the neck and can be folded over.

Example

Heather put on a black turtleneck and a pair of jeans for the party.

The store sold turtlenecks in many colours, including blue and dark grey.

collocation: turtleneck in [colour/colours]

Common collocations
  • black turtleneck
  • turtleneck sweater
  • turtleneck top
  • knitted turtleneck
  • cashmere turtleneck
Synonyms

Usage Note

American English term. In British English, this style is usually called a 'polo neck.' Also used attributively as 'turtleneck sweater' or 'turtleneck top.'

Common Mistakes

She wore a turtle to the dinner party.
She wore a turtleneck to the dinner party.
'Turtle' alone means the animal; the clothing is always 'turtleneck.'
Idioms

turn turtle

idiom

When a boat or ship turns upside down in the water.

During the storm, the small fishing boat turned turtle.

Did the sailboat turn turtle when the wind hit?

turtle — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

Turtle, tortoise, and terrapin are all shelled reptiles in the order Testudines, but their meanings differ by habitat and region. 'Turtle' is the broadest term in American English, covering all species; in British English, 'turtle' usually refers only to sea-dwelling species. 'Tortoise' refers strictly to land-dwelling species with heavy dome-shaped shells and sturdy legs adapted for walking on ground. 'Terrapin' describes freshwater or brackish-water species, especially those harvested for food. In practice: a turtle seen swimming in the ocean is a 'sea turtle'; one walking on land in a zoo is a 'tortoise'; one sold as a pet in a small tank is likely a 'terrapin' (such as the red-eared slider).

tortoise ↗terrapin ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • turn turtle
  • turtle shell
  • turtle soup
  • turtle neck
  • sea turtle
  • snapping turtle

Etymology

Late LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'turtle' entered English in the early 1600s from the French word 'tortue' (meaning 'tortoise'). French 'tortue' came from Late Latin 'tartarucha,' a shortened form of 'bestia tartarucha' ('creature of hell' or 'creature from the underworld'), because early Mediterranean peoples believed sea turtles came from the underworld. The spelling shifted from 'tortue' to 'turtle' in English over time, while French kept 'tortue' for all species.