gator

Pronunciation: /ˈɡeɪtər/ (American English)

Origin: Shortened form of "alligator," first recorded in American English in the early 20th century.

Part of Speech: noun

Meanings:

1. An informal term for an alligator, particularly common in the southern United States.
2. (Slang) A resident or student of the University of Florida, whose mascot is the alligator.

Example Sentences:

1. "Watch out for gators when you're swimming in Florida's lakes!"
2. "As a proud Gator, he always wears orange and blue on game days."

Related Words:

• Alligator (noun): The full form of "gator"
• Gator-infested (adjective): Describing an area with many alligators
• Gatorade (proper noun): A sports drink named after the University of Florida Gators

Synonyms:

• Alligator
• Croc (informal for crocodile, though not exactly the same animal)

Memorization Trick: Think of a "gate" with an "or" at the end. Imagine an alligator guarding a gate, saying "Gator says: Enter, OR else!" This combines the pronunciation and the meaning of the word.