cotinga: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2technical (ornithology), scientific
Quick answer
What does “cotinga” mean?
A brightly coloured tropical bird of the family Cotingidae, found in Central and South America.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A brightly coloured tropical bird of the family Cotingidae, found in Central and South America.
Any member of a diverse family of passerine birds known for their vivid plumage, fruit-eating habits, and often elaborate displays.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys exoticism, specialized knowledge of birds, and tropical biodiversity.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; its use is almost exclusively confined to specialist contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cotinga” in a Sentence
The [species] cotinga is found in...A [adjective] cotinga perched...Cotingas are [verb]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in biological and ecological research papers discussing neotropical avifauna.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Standard term in ornithology for birds of the family Cotingidae.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cotinga”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cotinga”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cotinga”
- Mispronouncing it as /kɒˈtɪnɡə/.
- Using it as a general adjective for something colourful.
- Confusing it with a 'bird-of-paradise' (a different family).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A cotinga is a bird belonging to the family Cotingidae, found in tropical forests of Central and South America. They are known for their often spectacularly bright plumage.
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in ornithology, birdwatching, and zoology. The average English speaker is unlikely to know the word.
In British English, it is /kəˈtɪŋɡə/ (kuh-TING-guh). In American English, it is commonly /koʊˈtɪŋɡə/ (koh-TING-guh).
They are from completely different families and geographic regions. Cotingas are from the Neotropics (Americas), while birds-of-paradise are from the Australasian region (e.g., New Guinea). Both are known for bright colours and elaborate displays, but they are not closely related.
A brightly coloured tropical bird of the family Cotingidae, found in Central and South America.
Cotinga is usually technical (ornithology), scientific in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COat' of bright colours 'TINGed' with blue and purple, worn by a bird in the Amazon.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIVING JEWEL (emphasizing its vivid, gem-like colours).
Practice
Quiz
The word 'cotinga' is most accurately described as: