Turtle
noun
A reptile with a hard protective shell that lives in water or on land.
We watched the turtle swim in the pond.
Often appears as...
- sea turtle
- turtle shell
noun
A slow or cautious person.
Don't be such a turtle, we're going to be late!
Often appears as...
- old turtle
- slow as a turtle
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A reptile with a hard protective shell that lives in water or on land.
We watched the turtle swim in the pond.
Often appears as...
- sea turtle
- turtle shell
noun
A slow or cautious person.
Don't be such a turtle, we're going to be late!
Often appears as...
- old turtle
- slow as a turtle
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Habitat Specifics
The word 'turtle' can refer to different species, some live in the sea, others in freshwater or on land.
The Galápagos tortoise is a land-dwelling turtle.
Pro Tip 2/3Protected Species
Many turtle species are endangered, so the term often involves conservation topics.
Sea turtle nests are protected by law on many beaches.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Symbol
Turtles are seen as wisdom symbols in some cultures which can influence their use in stories and literature.
In the fable, the wise turtle taught the young rabbit a lesson.
Pro Tip 1/3Habitat Specifics
The word 'turtle' can refer to different species, some live in the sea, others in freshwater or on land.
The Galápagos tortoise is a land-dwelling turtle.
Pro Tip 2/3Protected Species
Many turtle species are endangered, so the term often involves conservation topics.
Sea turtle nests are protected by law on many beaches.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Symbol
Turtles are seen as wisdom symbols in some cultures which can influence their use in stories and literature.
In the fable, the wise turtle taught the young rabbit a lesson.
Pro Tip 1/3Habitat Specifics
The word 'turtle' can refer to different species, some live in the sea, others in freshwater or on land.
The Galápagos tortoise is a land-dwelling turtle.
Pro Tip 2/3Protected Species
Many turtle species are endangered, so the term often involves conservation topics.
Sea turtle nests are protected by law on many beaches.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Symbol
Turtles are seen as wisdom symbols in some cultures which can influence their use in stories and literature.
In the fable, the wise turtle taught the young rabbit a lesson.
Never forget "Turtle"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Can wildlife adapt to...
to protect themselves against the herbivores that become more common when it's warm. These plants and animals belong to a group of about 20 identified species with evolutionary adaptations to rapid climate change, including snapping turtles, wood frogs, knotweed, and silver spotted skipper butterflies.
Video examples
The magic ingredient...
that the turtles are diving into and going on this roller coaster ride. So we pushed the visibility of the water well past anything you would ever see in real life. Because in the end, we are not trying to recreate the scientifically correct real world, we're trying to create a believable world,
Video examples
The Survival of the Sea...
where many others have ended their evolutionary run. Second, throughout the centuries and up till today, every living adult sea turtle has overcome the odds, existing as a consequence of chance, skill, and capability. The gauntlet each sea turtle faces in the course of its lifetime goes
Video examples
The extraordinary lives...
marine environment most of these leeches feed on sharks the one in the middle feeds on sea turtles we don't know what these frilly things are but they're beautiful aren't they what most people don't realize is that there's a whole bunch of different leeches out there in the world that
Video examples
Why do we hiccup? - John...
because it actually provides an important advantage. They point out that true hiccups are found only in mammals and that they're not retained in birds, lizards, turtles, or any other exclusively air-breathing animals.
Video examples
Saving Leatherback...
well we got some of the poachers who would be hunting the animals to be part of the conservation program as well as protecting the adult turtles the team also collect any eggs that might be flooded at high tide
Video examples
Periodical Cicadas...
For turtles and other inhabitants of the forest, this is a feast they're lucky to see once in their lifetime and they gorge themselves while they can.
Video examples
Sea Turtles 101 PIPE...
- Sea turtles are ancient mariners. Present in all but Earth's coldest oceans, these marine reptiles are well-adapted to a life on the move.
Video examples
The Sea Turtles of...
Sea turtles, they've existed for so long. It's important for me to do my part to make sure that I leave this
Video examples
Sir David Attenborough...
his own hands he began patrolling the beach at night to protect the turtles a brave thing to do
Video examples
Can wildlife adapt to...
to protect themselves against the herbivores that become more common when it's warm. These plants and animals belong to a group of about 20 identified species with evolutionary adaptations to rapid climate change, including snapping turtles, wood frogs, knotweed, and silver spotted skipper butterflies.
Video examples
The magic ingredient...
that the turtles are diving into and going on this roller coaster ride. So we pushed the visibility of the water well past anything you would ever see in real life. Because in the end, we are not trying to recreate the scientifically correct real world, we're trying to create a believable world,
Video examples
The Survival of the Sea...
where many others have ended their evolutionary run. Second, throughout the centuries and up till today, every living adult sea turtle has overcome the odds, existing as a consequence of chance, skill, and capability. The gauntlet each sea turtle faces in the course of its lifetime goes
Video examples
The extraordinary lives...
marine environment most of these leeches feed on sharks the one in the middle feeds on sea turtles we don't know what these frilly things are but they're beautiful aren't they what most people don't realize is that there's a whole bunch of different leeches out there in the world that
Video examples
Why do we hiccup? - John...
because it actually provides an important advantage. They point out that true hiccups are found only in mammals and that they're not retained in birds, lizards, turtles, or any other exclusively air-breathing animals.
Video examples
Saving Leatherback...
well we got some of the poachers who would be hunting the animals to be part of the conservation program as well as protecting the adult turtles the team also collect any eggs that might be flooded at high tide
Video examples
Periodical Cicadas...
For turtles and other inhabitants of the forest, this is a feast they're lucky to see once in their lifetime and they gorge themselves while they can.
Video examples
Sea Turtles 101 PIPE...
- Sea turtles are ancient mariners. Present in all but Earth's coldest oceans, these marine reptiles are well-adapted to a life on the move.
Video examples
The Sea Turtles of...
Sea turtles, they've existed for so long. It's important for me to do my part to make sure that I leave this
Video examples
Sir David Attenborough...
his own hands he began patrolling the beach at night to protect the turtles a brave thing to do
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Will Hobbs
American Author
Changes in Latitudes' began when I was looking at a photograph of a sea turtle swimming underwater. I had such a strong feeling for the beauty of this ancient creature, at home in the sea. On the spot, I wanted to swim with that turtle. I began to imagine a character who would do just that.
Quote examples
Jane Velez-Mitchell
American Journalist
Taking care of our families isn't just about putting food on the table today. It's about ensuring that our children and grandchildren will have a habitable world where they can get to know various species of sea turtles.
Quote examples
Craig Brown
English Critic
Words have a life of their own. There is no telling what they will do. Within a matter of days, they can even turn turtle and mean the opposite.
Quote examples
Angela Kinsey
American Actress
I don't want to live in a world where I could say to my daughter, 'There used to be turtles that swam in the ocean.
Quote examples
Joel Hodgson
American Entertainer
Gypsy was the name my brother gave a pet turtle he had. I always thought it was so peculiar.
Quote examples
Tamara Feldman
American Actress
I would love to go help baby sea turtles back into the ocean after hatching in Mexico.
Quote examples
Unknown
Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.
Quote examples
James Bryant Conant
American Scientist
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.
Quote examples
Bruce Feiler
American Writer
Take a walk with a turtle. And behold the world in pause.
Quote examples
Aparna Sen
Indian Director
I had a turtle that I called Kalidas.
Quote examples
Will Hobbs
American Author
Changes in Latitudes' began when I was looking at a photograph of a sea turtle swimming underwater. I had such a strong feeling for the beauty of this ancient creature, at home in the sea. On the spot, I wanted to swim with that turtle. I began to imagine a character who would do just that.
Quote examples
Jane Velez-Mitchell
American Journalist
Taking care of our families isn't just about putting food on the table today. It's about ensuring that our children and grandchildren will have a habitable world where they can get to know various species of sea turtles.
Quote examples
Craig Brown
English Critic
Words have a life of their own. There is no telling what they will do. Within a matter of days, they can even turn turtle and mean the opposite.
Quote examples
Angela Kinsey
American Actress
I don't want to live in a world where I could say to my daughter, 'There used to be turtles that swam in the ocean.
Quote examples
Joel Hodgson
American Entertainer
Gypsy was the name my brother gave a pet turtle he had. I always thought it was so peculiar.
Quote examples
Tamara Feldman
American Actress
I would love to go help baby sea turtles back into the ocean after hatching in Mexico.
Quote examples
Unknown
Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.
Quote examples
James Bryant Conant
American Scientist
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.
Quote examples
Bruce Feiler
American Writer
Take a walk with a turtle. And behold the world in pause.
Quote examples
Aparna Sen
Indian Director
I had a turtle that I called Kalidas.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension