[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/chameleon/)

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# chameleon

noun (a chameleon, chameleons)

«chameleon» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A chameleon is a kind of lizard that can change the colour of its skin, has eyes that move separately, and catches insects with a very long, sticky tongue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#m1)
2. (figurative) A person who changes their opinions or behaviour to fit in with whoever they are with is called a chameleon. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons chameleons come up in adaptations: eyes that can look in two directions at once, feet and tail that grip branches, and a tongue that shoots out longer than its body. Many live in Madagascar and Africa. Pupils learn that chameleons change colour mostly to show mood, control temperature and signal to other chameleons, not only to hide.

### Examples

- The chameleon's tongue shot out and caught a cricket. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#x1)
- A chameleon can look forward and backward at the same time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#x2)
- The chameleon turned bright when it was angry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#x3)
- Chameleons grip branches with their feet and curly tail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#x4)
- Many chameleons live in Madagascar. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#x5)
- He's a real chameleon — he agrees with whoever he's talking to. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#x6)
- The chameleon moved slowly along the branch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/#x7)

### Note

Plural «chameleons». Spelling: «ch» is said like «k»: «ka-MEE-lee-un». Myth: chameleons do not simply copy the colour of whatever they sit on; colour change is mainly about mood, temperature and signals.

## In Jewish tradition

One of the small creatures that swarm on the ground and are listed as unclean in Leviticus. The exact animal named is uncertain.

**Interpretation.** Jewish law lists which animals may be eaten, and these crawling creatures are forbidden. Some say the list teaches holiness and self-control.

### Examples

- and the gecko, and the land-crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand-lizard, and the chameleon. (Torah LEV.11.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/chameleon/#x1)

### Note

Plural «chameleons». Spelling: «ch» is said like «k»: «ka-MEE-lee-un». Myth: chameleons do not simply copy the colour of whatever they sit on; colour change is mainly about mood, temperature and signals.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «chameleon» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chameleon/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«chameleon» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/chameleon.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «chameleon» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/chameleon/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«chameleon» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/chameleon.html) on Mova free.