frog

frog — noun

1. a small greenish-brown animal with wet, slippery skin and no tail. It belongs to

1.nounA1
Definition

a small greenish-brown animal with wet, slippery skin and no tail. It belongs to the amphibian group, makes its home in ponds and damp ground, and uses its powerful back legs to leap.

Example

Jin saw a small green frog jump into the pond near his house.

jump into + [place]

The children watched the frog catch a fly with its long tongue.

Common collocations
  • pond
  • croak
  • tadpole
  • jump
  • leap
  • smooth skin
  • web feet
  • amphibian
Synonyms
  • toad

    a similar but different amphibian; toads have drier, bumpier skin and live mainly on land

  • tadpole

    the young form of a frog before it develops legs and leaves the water

Grammar Patterns

frog + verb (present simple for facts)

a/the + frog

Usage Note

Commonly used in children's books and nature contexts. The plural form 'frogs' is often used when describing the animal in general.

Common Mistakes

A toad has smooth, wet skin.
A frog has smooth, wet skin.
Frogs have smooth, moist skin and stay near water; toads have dry, bumpy skin and live on land.
The frog has no front legs.
The frog has four legs, with the back pair much longer and stronger than the front pair.
People sometimes think frogs have only two legs because the back legs are the most visible.

2. the small fitting at the bottom end of a violin, viola, or similar string instru

2.nounC1
Definition

the small fitting at the bottom end of a violin, viola, or similar string instrument's bow. The horsehair is attached to the frog and can be tightened or loosened from there.

Example

Rafael held the bow near the frog while carefully tightening the horsehair.

noun phrase: the frog of a bow

The frog of a violin bow is often made from ebony wood or ivory.

Common collocations
  • ebony
  • horsehair
  • violin bow
  • cello bow
  • tightening screw
  • mother-of-pearl
  • luthier
Synonyms
  • nut

    the standard English term for the same part on a violin bow, used especially in North America

Grammar Patterns

the/a + frog + of + [instrument's] + bow

Usage Note

This is a technical term used mainly by musicians, instrument makers, and luthiers. It is unrelated to the animal meaning of 'frog'.

Common Mistakes

I dropped my violin and broke the frog.' (when meaning the animal figure)
I dropped my violin and the frog of the bow cracked.
In music, 'frog' refers to a bow part, not a decoration.

3. a hateful term that refers to a person from France and shows strong contempt. Us

3.nounC1
Definition

a hateful term that refers to a person from France and shows strong contempt. Using this word about French people is likely to cause deep anger or hurt.

Example

The other player called his French opponent a frog and was sent off the field.

call + someone + a + [ethnic slur]

My grandmother, who was born in Paris, was called a frog by bullies at school.

Grammar Patterns

call + someone + a frog

use + the word + frog + for [French people]

Usage Note

Strongly offensive. Never use this word to describe French people. It is considered a hateful ethnic slur in the same category as other derogatory terms for nationalities. Even jokingly, it may cause serious offence.

Common Mistakes

I joked that my French teacher was a frog.
I would never use that word about my French teacher
it is a hateful slur.' — Treating 'frog' as a harmless nickname is a common learner error; it is deeply offensive and unacceptable in any context.
Idioms

have a frog in your throat

idiom

to have difficulty speaking clearly because your throat feels dry, scratchy, or blocked, usually for a short time

Anong tried to answer the question but had a frog in her throat and could only whisper.

The singer had a frog in her throat during the concert and had to stop for a drink of water.

have, etc. a frog in your throat

idiom

To be unable to speak clearly for a short time because your throat feels rough or dry.

Maya had a frog in her throat before the presentation.

Did you have a frog in your throat during the interview?

Word family

  • froglet
    nounC2
  • froggy
    adjectiveB2
  • frogspawn
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'frog' and 'toad' are both amphibians in the order Anura, they differ in appearance and habitat. Frogs have smooth, moist skin, live near water, and have very long hind legs for jumping. Toads have dry, warty skin, live mainly on land, and have shorter legs, so they tend to hop rather than leap. The word 'tadpole' refers to the aquatic larval stage of both frogs and toads — a small, tailed creature that breathes through gills before metamorphosing into an adult. For example: 'The frog jumped from the lily pad into the pond,' but 'The toad crawled under a rock in the garden.' A child might say: 'Look at the tadpoles swimming in the jar — they will grow legs and become frogs.'

frog ↗toadtadpole

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

Old EnglishGermanicEnglish

The word 'frog' comes from Old English 'frogga', which is related to Old Norse 'frauki' and Old High German 'frosk'. These are all thought to be imitative of the croaking sound the animal makes. The use of 'frog' for a French person dates from the late 18th century, possibly from the French reputation for eating frogs' legs. The musical bow-part sense appeared in the early 19th century, probably from the resemblance to the animal's shape or to a frog's sitting posture.