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Glite Dictionary
spring frog

spring frog

4.9
A small green or brown animal that lives near ponds and wet places and croaks
  • noun
  • /sprɪŋ frɔg/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rana de primavera
  • We spotted a spring frog resting near the edge of the pond.

Examples

  • Many spring frogs can be found in marshy areas.

  • The croaking of the spring frog can be heard every year after the snow melts.

  • Many wildlife photographers come here to observe the rare spring frog.

  • The spring frog jumped into the pond.

  • The croaking of the spring frog can be heard every year after the snow melts.

  • We spotted a spring frog resting near the edge of the pond.

  • Many spring frogs can be found in marshy areas.

Synonyms

leopard frog
vsspring frog
  • US
1 5.1

A common North American green or brown frog with dark oval spots edged in white

is named for its typical habitat rather than for its spot pattern
Rana pipiens
vsspring frog
  • Specialized
9.9

A common North American frog that lives near ponds with green or brown skin and dark spots with white edges

is the everyday common name for the same species

Surface Forms

spring frog singular
spring frogs plural

Morphology

spring + frog

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound: its basic meaning (a frog associated with the season or conditions of spring) is compositionally derivable from 'spring' + 'frog' and follows common English compounding patterns. Although exact species details in the dictionary definition are not predictable from the parts, a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer it refers to a kind of frog linked to spring.

Etymology

Spring frog gets its name because these frogs appear in spring at ponds and marshes, coming out after the snow to croak and find mates, so the image is of a frog showing up in spring. That's why the name means 'a frog found in spring near ponds'.