Spanish lizard

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A lizard of a species native to Spain or nearby parts of southwestern Europe, especially the Iberian wall lizard.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'a Spanish lizard' for one, 'Spanish lizards' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • a Spanish lizard
   • Spanish lizards
   • species of Spanish lizard

   While hiking in the Sierra de Guadarrama, we spotted a Spanish lizard sunning itself on a rock.

   The zoo's new reptile house includes several Spanish lizards from the Iberian Peninsula.

   Spanish lizards are often seen climbing stone walls in warm, rocky areas.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   Used more broadly for any lizard species found in Spain, even if not unique to the region.

   Grammar: Still countable; the plural is 'Spanish lizards'.

   Patterns

   • a Spanish lizard
   • Spanish lizards

   In casual conversation, people may call any lizard they see in Spain a Spanish lizard.

   The guide pointed out a small green Spanish lizard, though it was actually a common wall lizard.

   Not every Spanish lizard is endemic to the country; some are widespread across the Mediterranean.

Word forms

Common combinations

Iberian wall lizard

The Iberian wall lizard is the species most often meant by 'Spanish lizard'.

native to Spain

Several lizards are native to Spain, but only a few are called Spanish lizards.

species of lizard

This species of lizard is commonly known as the Spanish lizard.

sun itself on a rock

You might see a Spanish lizard sun itself on a rock in the early morning.

rocky habitat

Spanish lizards prefer rocky habitats with plenty of crevices.

endemic to the Iberian Peninsula

Some Spanish lizards are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, meaning they live nowhere else.

Synonyms and how they differ

Iberian wall lizard

The precise common name for the most typical species referred to as a Spanish lizard.

wall lizard

A broader term for lizards that often live on walls; not all wall lizards are Spanish.

Word family

Spain proper noun

The country in southwestern Europe where these lizards are found.

Spanish adjective

Relating to Spain, its people, or its language.

Commonly confused: Spanish lizard or Spanish fly?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “Spanish lizard”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words