tadpole

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'tadpole' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the larval stage of a frog or toad. Example: The children were fascinated by the tiny tadpoles swimming in the pond, unaware of their future transformation into frogs.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

For the first time ever, scientists came face-to-face with a Lake Oku clawed frog tadpole.

The Guardian

That means it is possible to be sure of the paternity of a tadpole.

The Economist

An alternative theory is that the ancestor was like a tunicate and that the other two subphyla arose by modification of the tadpole larva.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the tadpole larvae and appendicularians, the dorsal nerve cord is well developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some of the members of the order Notostraca (tadpole shrimps) are also hermaphrodites; their ovaries contain scattered sperm-producing lobes among the developing eggs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The common name tadpole shrimp derives from the animal's distinctive body shape a large, oval shell-like carapace and a slender, flexible abdomen with a long, forked tail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The larval form of the urochordate (e.g., the tunicate, or sea squirt) is tadpole-like and free swimming; the adult is sessile and somewhat degenerate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The eggs of chimaeras are elliptic, spindle-shaped, or tadpole-shaped and open to the exterior through pores and slits that permit entrance of water during incubation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Miaomiao had a small flat head covered with thin downy hair, a broad and wrinkled forehead, tadpole-like eyes set deep into sallow sockets, a flat nose, and large nostrils that flared with each intake of breath.

The New Yorker

This is why the announcement earlier this month that ZSL's London Zoo had succeeded in rearing the first ever captive Lake Oku clawed frog tadpoles and juveniles is so important.

The Guardian

"The tadpoles are bizarre-looking, transparent filter feeders – the blood vessels, gills, brain and gut are all visible through the body wall," Christopher Michaels with ZSL wrote in an EDGE blog.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the life cycle of amphibians, use "tadpole" to specifically refer to the larval stage of frogs and toads. Be precise when comparing it to the larvae of other amphibians.

Common error

Avoid using "tadpole" as a generic term for all amphibian larvae. "Tadpole" specifically refers to frog and toad larvae; other amphibians have different larval forms.

Linguistic Context

The word "tadpole" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the aquatic larval stage of frogs and toads. Ludwig shows this in numerous examples, describing their physical characteristics and developmental processes. It identifies a specific entity in the animal kingdom.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

28%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "tadpole", as analyzed by Ludwig AI, is a noun referring to the larval stage of frogs and toads, used across diverse contexts ranging from encyclopedias and news media to scientific literature. Its primary function is to identify and describe this specific biological stage. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is correct and commonly used. It maintains a neutral register, fitting for both expert and general audiences. While "polliwog" is a synonym, "tadpole" is the preferred term in more formal or scientific contexts. Understanding its usage helps to ensure clarity and precision when discussing amphibian development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

polliwog

A synonym for tadpole, primarily used in informal contexts.

larval stage of a frog

A more formal and explicit way to refer to the tadpole phase.

frog larva

A more scientific and descriptive term for the early stage of a frog.

toad larva

Specific to the larval stage of a toad, similar to tadpole.

early stage frog

Emphasizes the immaturity and initial phase of a frog's life.

larval amphibian

A broader term encompassing the larval stage of any amphibian, including tadpoles.

amphibian larva

Generalizes to any amphibian in its larval form, akin to a tadpole but not exclusively a frog or toad.

immature frog

Refers to a frog that has not yet reached its adult stage, including the tadpole phase.

developing frog

Describes a frog in the process of growing and changing, potentially including the tadpole stage.

young frog

A general term for a frog that is not yet fully grown, which may encompass the tadpole stage depending on the context.

FAQs

What is another name for a tadpole?

A common alternative name for a tadpole is "polliwog".

What is the difference between a tadpole and a froglet?

A tadpole is the aquatic larval stage of a frog or toad, while a froglet is a young frog that has recently undergone metamorphosis but is not yet fully grown.

What do tadpoles eat?

Tadpoles typically feed on algae and plant matter. Some species may also consume small insects or detritus.

How long does it take for a tadpole to turn into a frog?

The duration of the tadpole stage varies depending on the species and environmental conditions, but it generally lasts from a few weeks to several months.