easy
A frog is a vertebrate because it has a backbone.
What does Vertebrate mean?
A vertebrate is an animal that typically has a backbone, such as a mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish.
Dictionary definition
A vertebrate is an animal in the group that typically has a backbone and an internal skeleton, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. As an adjective, vertebrate means having a backbone or relating to this animal group; in rare formal use it can mean well organized or fully developed.
Example sentences
Vertebrate in a sentence
medium
The shark's skeleton is made of cartilage, but the shark is still a vertebrate.
hard
The survey recorded both vertebrate and invertebrate species in the wetland.
hard
The class compared the internal skeletons of several vertebrate animals.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice vertebrate in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Practice the meaning of Vertebrate
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What is a vertebrate?
The major vertebrate groups are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Practice 2
Which word is the direct biological contrast to vertebrate?
An invertebrate lacks the backbone that typically identifies a vertebrate.
Practice 3
Which sentence uses vertebrate as an adjective?
Vertebrate describes the kind of fossils, so it acts as an adjective.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Vertebrate
Voice settings
Sounds like
vur · tuh · brut · strongest beat: vur
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordVertebrate.
Partnoun, adjective.
MeaningVertebrate means A vertebrate is an animal that typically has a backbone, such as a mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish.
ExampleExample: A frog is a vertebrate because it has a backbone.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- vur · tuh · brut
- Strongest beat
- vur
- Ending
- brut
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on vur.
Your turn
Say Vertebrate
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced vertebrate.
Synonym review
Does Vertebrate have synonyms?
Vertebrate is the precise biological term. Backboned animal and spine-bearing animal explain it but are not established interchangeable words.
Antonyms
Opposite words
invertebrateA direct biological contrast for an animal without a backbone, or for something related to such animals.
Word family
Vertebrate word family
Base word
vertebrate
noun
vertebrates
The plural form of vertebrate.
adjective
vertebral
Related to a vertebra or the spinal column.
noun
vertebra
One of the bones or cartilage segments that form a backbone.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Vertebrate
Hint for students
Look for an internal skeleton and the backbone or related supporting structure, not fur, habitat, size, or ability to fly.
Common mix-up
Backboned animal explains vertebrate but is not a true one-word synonym. Also, a shark is a vertebrate even though much of its skeleton is cartilage rather than bone.
Try it in class or at home
Students inspect skeleton diagrams for a fish, frog, bird, dog, insect, and jellyfish. They sort them by backbone evidence, then explain why habitat and body covering are not enough.
Teacher prompt
Why do a shark, frog, robin, and human all count as vertebrates even though their bodies and habitats differ? Use internal support and backbone in your answer.
Animal Classification Wheel
Compare animals with the Classification Vocabulary Wheel
Spin this researched animal vocabulary wheel to compare body groups, backbones, diets, predator-prey roles, and the evidence behind each classification.
Learning activities
Practice Vertebrate and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice VERTEBRATE” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice VERTEBRATE
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with VERTEBRATE
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
Hear the word, type the spelling, and use spoken clues when needed.
Practice spelling
Explore · Definitions
Define the Word Hive
Choose the meaning that fits and get instant feedback.
Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
Pair words with meanings and review misses with dictionary links.
Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Practice VERTEBRATE
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes VERTEBRATE.
Practice VERTEBRATE
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
Rebuild words