What does webbed mean?
Webbed is an adjective describing a foot, toe, hand, or finger that has a thin membrane of skin between its digits. This feature is especially familiar in aquatic animals such as ducks, geese, frogs, and seals, whose webbed limbs help them move efficiently through water. Webbed feet are also found in human diving equipment because their broad surfaces function as paddles. The word is commonly used attributively, as in webbed feet or webbed toes, but it can also follow a linking verb: the diver’s feet were webbed. Although webbed is most often encountered as an adjective, it is also the simple past tense and past participle of the verb web. In its adjective sense, the word is descriptive and neutral, with no strong positive or negative connotation. Its distinctive feature is that it names a visible connection between otherwise separate digits.
Having webbing, especially a membrane of skin between the fingers or toes.
"The goose's webbed feet spread wide as it landed."
Used literally of digits and feet, and figuratively or technically of equipment designed with a web-like membrane.
The simple past tense and past participle of web, meaning to weave or form a web.
"The spider webbed across the corner of the porch."
This inflected form is less common than the adjective and is chiefly associated with the verb web.
A duck’s webbed feet work like paddles, turning an ordinary walk into remarkably efficient swimming.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does webbed come from?
Webbed is formed in English from web and the suffix -ed, with the suffix forming an adjective meaning “provided with a web.” The base word web is inherited from Old English and belongs to the Germanic family of English vocabulary associated with weaving and interconnected fabric. Related forms include Dutch web and German Webe, both reflecting the same Germanic word family.
Related word forms
How webbed is actually used
The adjective is standard in everyday English and is especially common in descriptions of animals, footwear, and swimming equipment. As a verb form, webbed is less common and normally functions as the past tense or past participle of web.
Easily confused with webbed
Webbed means having webbing between the fingers or toes, whereas webby means resembling a web or covered with webbing.