: any of a genus (Anolis) of arboreal American lizards (such as the green anole) of the iguana family that have a brightly colored dewlap and the ability to change color
Examples of anole in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One brown anole missing half its hind limb dramatically increased its body undulation during sprinting, using exaggerated snakelike movements to compensate for the missing leg.
—
James T. Stroud, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
Further experiments showed that the brown anoles required a lead intake around 10 times higher than their already intense levels to result in any noticeable deterioration.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
Much like the lemurs headed toward Madagascar or the anoles bobbing around the Caribbean, the iguanas must have rafted—but over a record-setting journey.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025
The green ones are native and tend to stay in trees while the Cuban brown anoles showed up about 100 years ago and the similar crested anoles landed from Puerto Rico in 2018.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for anole
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
James T. Stroud, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
Further experiments showed that the brown anoles required a lead intake around 10 times higher than their already intense levels to result in any noticeable deterioration.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
Much like the lemurs headed toward Madagascar or the anoles bobbing around the Caribbean, the iguanas must have rafted—but over a record-setting journey.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025
The green ones are native and tend to stay in trees while the Cuban brown anoles showed up about 100 years ago and the similar crested anoles landed from Puerto Rico in 2018.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for anole
Cite this Entry
“Anole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anole. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anole
noun
ano·le
ə-ˈnō-lē 
: any of various chiefly tropical lizards that are able to change color and in the males have a usually brightly colored flap of skin on the throat
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share