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Where does the word "chameleon" come from? It comes from Greek khamaileon, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "chameleon" come from? It comes from Greek khamaileon, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Chameleon’s story begins in Greek: khamaileon meant “ground lion.” Literally ground lion, from khamai (on the ground) and leon (lion). It reached English by 1300s as chameleon. Settled as the word for the color-changing lizard. Today, chameleon means a lizard that changes color, or a person who adapts easily.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient khamaileon "ground lion", literally ground lion, from khamai (on the ground) and leon (lion).
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s chameleon "a color-changing lizard", settled as the word for the color-changing lizard.