albino: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Biological/Medical
Quick answer
What does “albino” mean?
A person or animal born with a congenital absence of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or animal born with a congenital absence of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes.
A plant or animal lacking normal pigmentation, appearing white or pale. Can also refer to the condition of albinism. Informally, sometimes used to describe an unusually pale version of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is clinical/biological. Societally, there is a growing preference for 'person with albinism' over 'an albino'.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties within scientific contexts; less frequent in casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “albino” in a Sentence
[be/born] + an albinoalbino + [animal/noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “albino” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The wildlife park is home to an albino kangaroo.
- They studied the genetics of albino mice.
American English
- An albino alligator was spotted in the swamp.
- The albino seedling lacked chlorophyll.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biology, genetics, medicine, and zoology to describe the phenotypic condition.
Everyday
Used cautiously, primarily when describing animals (e.g., an albino deer). Can be considered insensitive when labeling a person.
Technical
Precise term for an organism exhibiting albinism (absence of melanin).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “albino”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “albino”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “albino”
- Using 'albino' as a casual or pejorative term for a pale person.
- Misspelling as 'albinoo' or 'albeno'.
- Confusing with 'albumen' (egg white).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, particularly when referring to people, it can be perceived as labeling or reducing the individual to their condition. 'Person with albinism' is generally preferred as person-first language.
Yes, plants can exhibit albinism, characterized by a lack of chlorophyll, which results in white or pale tissues and often leads to early death as they cannot photosynthesize effectively.
Albinism is a complete absence of melanin production, affecting eyes, skin, and hair/fur/feathers. Leucism is a partial loss of pigmentation, often resulting in patchy white colouring, but typically with normally coloured eyes.
No, 'albino' is not used as a verb. The related noun is 'albinism' and the adjective is 'albino' or 'albinotic' (medical).
A person or animal born with a congenital absence of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes.
Albino is usually formal/biological/medical in register.
Albino: in British English it is pronounced /ælˈbiː.nəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ælˈbaɪ.noʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"ALBino" sounds like "ALBum" – think of a photo album with all white, blank pages lacking colour.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABSENCE IS WHITENESS / LACK IS PALENESS
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most appropriate and modern usage?