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barking frog

barking frog

8.8
A frog that makes a sound like a small dog
  • noun
  • /ˈbɑrkɪŋ frɔg/
  • US
translation icon : rana ladradora
  • The barking frog is often heard at night during the rainy season in Arizona.

Examples

  • Researchers recorded the unique sound of a barking frog for their wildlife study.

  • Unlike most frogs, the barking frog's call can be mistaken for a small dog.

  • The barking frog is known for its unique sound.

  • Did you hear the barking frog last night?

  • Researchers recorded the unique sound of a barking frog for their wildlife study.

  • The barking frog is often heard at night during the rainy season in Arizona.

  • Unlike most frogs, the barking frog's call can be mistaken for a small dog's bark.

Synonyms

robber frog
vsbarking frog
  • Specialized
9.6

A small frog from the southwestern United States and Mexico that makes a sound like a barking dog

is the more formal common label rather than the everyday term
Hylactophryne augusti
vsbarking frog
  • Specialized
9.9

A frog from the US and Mexico that makes a barking sound like a dog

is the common everyday name used in ordinary speech

Surface Forms

barking frog singular
barking frogs plural

Morphology

bark + frog

The noun phrase is compositionally built: 'barking' (making a bark-like sound) modifies 'frog', so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a frog that makes a barking sound. This pattern of naming animals by their vocalization is common cross-linguistically, making the meaning immediately accessible to B1 learners.

Etymology

Barking frog: The name barking frog comes from the sound the animal makes: the word barking refers to a call that sounds like a small 'dog', and frog is the animal. So the name helps you remember this species because its call really sounds like a dog barking.