Meaning & use
an alligator
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Meanings
nouncountable
A large, dangerous reptile with a wide head and strong jaws, living in rivers and swamps.
Grammar: Countable noun: an alligator, two alligators.
Patterns
- see an alligator
- an alligator in the water
- an alligator attack
We saw an alligator sunning itself on the riverbank.
Never feed an alligator in the wild.
An alligator can grow up to four meters long.
noununcountable
The skin or leather made from this animal, used for shoes and bags.
Grammar: Uncountable when referring to the material: made of alligator.
Patterns
- alligator shoes
- alligator skin
He wore expensive alligator boots.
The bag is made of genuine alligator.
Word forms
| plural | alligators |
|---|
Common combinations
- see an alligator
- Tourists often see an alligator in the Florida Everglades.
- an alligator attack
- There was an alligator attack near the lake last week.
- alligator skin
- Her purse is made of alligator skin.
Synonyms and how they differ
- crocodile
- A crocodile is a similar reptile but with a narrower snout and often found in salt water; the two are not interchangeable in scientific contexts.
Word family
- alligator noun
- The animal itself.
Commonly confused: an alligator or crocodile?
an alligator vs crocodile
Alligators have wide, U-shaped snouts and prefer fresh water; crocodiles have narrow, V-shaped snouts and can live in salt water.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'alligator' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Alligators are known for their wide snouts, which distinguish them from crocodiles. Alligators are not ocean animals, not harmless pets, and not birds.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “an alligator”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.