Skip to main content
gecko

gecko

17 2.9
A small tropical lizard that comes out at night to eat insects and often clings to walls
  • noun
  • /ˈɡɛkoʊ/
translation icon : salamanquesa
  • Only spots of sunlight shone through the foliage, making bright patterns on the jungle floor where gecko lizards darted from our feet.
  • gecko lizard
  • gecko feet
  • Nocturnal geckos

We have a crested gecko for you that has very cool hairs on it.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Lacking eyelids, the gecko cleans its eyes with its tongue.

    Academic text (2006)
  • We have a crested gecko for you that has very cool hairs on it.

  • This is George, the giant new Caledonian gecko, largest gecko in the world.

  • This is a gecko from Madagascar doing a really good job looking like bark.

  • Bees were buzzing about the yellow allamandas, and a gecko ran along the pool.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The geckos are not the least bit dissuaded by their inability to get to the protected male crickets.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Most geckos, for instance, live in the tropics or in deserts, and only a few live in colder climates.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The gecko climbed effortlessly up the glass wall of the aquarium.

  • At night, the gecko searches for insects to eat under the moonlight.

  • This gecko can change color to blend in with its surroundings.

Synonyms

banded gecko
vsgecko
  • US
8.1

A small lizard with dark bands that can blink and lives in the southwestern United States and Florida

usually has immovable eyelids rather than movable ones
flying gecko
vsgecko
  • Philippine
8.9

A small lizard with skin flaps on its sides, legs, and tail that glides short distances between trees

is mainly a small nocturnal insect eater not adapted for gliding

Compounds

8.1

A small lizard with dark bands that can blink and lives in the southwestern United States and Florida

flying gecko
  • Philippine
8.9

A small lizard with skin flaps on its sides, legs, and tail that glides short distances between trees

fringed gecko
  • Specialized
8.5

A small lizard with skin flaps on its sides, legs, and tail that let it glide short distances

How Big

African monitor
  • South African
8.4
iguana
  • US
2 3.9
skink
1 8.6
gecko
17 2.9

Surface Forms

gecko singular
geckos plural

Etymology

Gecko comes from a Malay and Javanese word gékok that copies the little chirping sound these lizards make, like 'buzz' copies a bee. So, gecko is the name for a small lizard often active at night, and the sound of the word helps you remember it.