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Glite Dictionary
lizardlike

lizardlike

5.3
Having a lizard's look or movement, often quick and not showing much feeling
  • adjective
  • /ˈlɪzərdˌlaɪk/
translation icon : lagartesco

Examples

  • "He smiled in his lizardlike way, remembering."

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Lizardlike creatures, the soldiers' mounts were ugly and misshapen.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The creature had a long, lizardlike tail that swayed as it moved through the grass.

  • His lizardlike features made him blend in perfectly with the rocky landscape.

  • She watched the lizardlike movements of the gecko as it darted across the wall.

Synonyms

reptilian
vslizardlike
19 5.5

Having features like those of snakes or lizards

is narrower, referring to resemblance specifically to lizards in form or manner
saurian
vslizardlike
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Having the shape and scaly skin of a lizard

is a general descriptive word for resembling lizards in looks or behavior
lacertilian
vslizardlike
  • Specialized
9.9

Relating to lizards and the way they act

is broader, covering resemblance in appearance, movement, or emotional traits
reptile-like
vslizardlike
  • Offensive
8.2

Not showing emotion and acting as if they do not care

also covers physical appearance and movement, not only cold unemotional manner

How Lizardlike

reptilian
19 5.5
lizardlike
5.3
scaly
15 3.3

Surface Forms

lizardlike positive

Morphology

lizardlike = lizard (transparent) = lizard + like

The adjective is clearly formed from the noun 'lizard' plus the productive suffix '-like' meaning 'resembling', so the base and suffix transparently determine the meaning.

Etymology

Lizardlike is just lizard + the ending -like, so it literally means 'like a lizard'. Think of a lizard's quick, silent moves and its calm, almost cold look — that's why we call someone or something 'lizardlike' when it moves quietly or seems unemotional.