# alligator

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tə/ · frequency rank #19,009

## Definitions
1. Either of two species of large amphibious reptile, Alligator mississippiensis or Alligator sinensis, in the genus Alligator within order Crocodilia, which have sharp teeth and very strong jaws and are native to the Americas and China, respectively.
2. A member of the family Alligatoridae, which includes the caimans.
3. A dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
4. A crocodile of any species.
5. Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
6. Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
7. Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
8. Any of various vehicles that have relatively long, low noses in front of a cab or other, usually windowed, structure.
9. An alligator-skin shoe.
10. A swing music fan or performer, especially one who is white.

## Etymology
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From early Modern English alligater, alligarta, aligarto, alegarto, alagarto, from Spanish el lagarto (“the lizard”), from Latin lacertus (“lizard”), modern spelling possibly influenced by the unrelated Latin alligator (“one who binds”).

## Easily confused with
- **alligators** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alligator-vs-alligators)

## Common misspellings (11)
`aligator`, `alilgator`, `allgiator`, `alliagtor`, `alligaotr`, `alligatorr`, `alligatro`, `alligattor`, `alliggator`, `alligtaor`, `laligator`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/alligator