bird of paradise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, semi-formal
Quick answer
What does “bird of paradise” mean?
Any of various brightly coloured, often ornate birds, primarily of the family Paradisaeidae, native to Australasia and known for the elaborate plumage and displays of the males.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any of various brightly coloured, often ornate birds, primarily of the family Paradisaeidae, native to Australasia and known for the elaborate plumage and displays of the males.
A large, exotic flowering plant of the genus Strelitzia, native to South Africa, with striking orange and blue flowers resembling a bird's head and plumage. By extension, any person, thing, or concept noted for its exceptional beauty, rarity, or spectacular display.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The botanical sense (Strelitzia) is common in both varieties. The ornithological reference is slightly more frequent in UK texts due to historical colonial and naturalist interests.
Connotations
Identical strong connotations of the exotic, the beautiful, and the rare.
Frequency
Low frequency in casual conversation in both regions. More common in gardening, natural history, fashion, and decorative arts contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bird of paradise” in a Sentence
the [adjective] bird of paradisebird of paradise [noun (e.g., flower, species)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bird of paradise” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The room had a bird-of-paradise motif in the wallpaper.
American English
- She wore a stunning bird-of-paradise orange dress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically used in marketing/branding for luxury, beauty, or exclusivity (e.g., 'Our new line is the bird of paradise of the collection').
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, botany, and environmental science texts.
Everyday
Primarily refers to the Strelitzia plant in gardening. Rarely used for the actual bird outside specific contexts.
Technical
Precise taxonomic reference in ornithology (Paradisaeidae) and horticulture (Strelitzia reginae).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bird of paradise”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bird of paradise”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bird of paradise”
- Misspelling as 'bird of paradize'. Using it as a countable noun without an article (e.g., 'I saw bird of paradise' instead of 'I saw a bird of paradise'). Confusing the bird and plant contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a fixed noun phrase comprising three words, often hyphenated when used as a modifier (e.g., bird-of-paradise feather).
Yes, but typically only in major zoos with specialised aviaries, as they are protected and require specific habitats.
No, there is no biological relation. The plant is named for the visual resemblance of its flower to the bird's plumage.
Not very common. It is a specialist term for nature enthusiasts, gardeners, and in decorative contexts, but is generally understood as a symbol of exotic beauty.
Any of various brightly coloured, often ornate birds, primarily of the family Paradisaeidae, native to Australasia and known for the elaborate plumage and displays of the males.
Bird of paradise is usually formal, semi-formal in register.
Bird of paradise: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɜːd əv ˈpærədaɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɜːrd əv ˈpærədaɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bird of paradise in a flock of sparrows (meaning: someone or something exceptionally beautiful or outstanding among ordinary things).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BIRD from the garden of PARADISE, so beautiful it couldn't be from Earth. Or, the plant's flower looks like a bird's colourful head.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEAUTY IS RARITY / SPECTACLE IS PERFORMANCE. Often conceptualised as a 'natural jewel' or 'living artwork'.
Practice
Quiz
In which field would the term 'bird of paradise' most likely be used in a technical, non-metaphorical sense?