Komodo dragon (English)
Where does "Komodo dragon" come from?
The name Komodo dragon is a straightforward compound derived from the Indonesian island of Komodo, where this massive predator is famously found, and the English word dragon. The term 'dragon' was applied to the lizard to capture its imposing size and legendary reputation as a fierce, formidable beast.
Full etymology tree
- Komodo dragon (English), 'Any of the endangered species Varanus komodoensis of monitor lizards native to certain Indonesian islands east of Java, the world's largest lizard, growing to 10 feet or 3 meters, known for its ability to kill prey with its septic saliva.'
- compound Komodo (English), 'An island of Indonesia, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands'
- compound dragon (English), 'A legendary serpentine or reptilian creature.'
- inherited dragoun (Middle English), 'A dragon, drake, wyrm (mythological creature)'
- inherited dragon (Old French), 'dragon (mythical animal)'
- inherited dracō (Latin), 'A dragon; a kind of snake or serpent.'
- inherited δράκων (drákōn) (Ancient Greek), 'dragon, serpent'
- derived δέρκομαι (dérkomai) (Ancient Greek), 'to see, see clearly'
- inherited δράκων (drákōn) (Ancient Greek), 'dragon, serpent'
- inherited dracō (Latin), 'A dragon; a kind of snake or serpent.'
- inherited dragon (Old French), 'dragon (mythical animal)'
- inherited dragoun (Middle English), 'A dragon, drake, wyrm (mythological creature)'
Updated July 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris