flamingo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral. Common in everyday, zoological, and travel contexts.
Quick answer
What does “flamingo” mean?
A tall wading bird with long legs, a long flexible neck, and pink or red plumage, typically found in warm regions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tall wading bird with long legs, a long flexible neck, and pink or red plumage, typically found in warm regions.
The word is also used to refer to a pinkish-orange color, reminiscent of the bird's plumage. In colloquial use, it can refer to a person who stands out in a crowd or is brightly dressed. In the context of yoga, 'flamingo pose' is a balancing posture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the same word and accept both plural forms.
Connotations
Identical. Associated with exoticism, grace, and tropical locations.
Frequency
Equal frequency, tied to discussions of wildlife, zoos, and travel destinations.
Grammar
How to Use “flamingo” in a Sentence
[Adj] flamingoflamingo [V-ing]flock of flamingosVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flamingo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Very rare, informal) 'He tried to flamingo his way through the crowd, all bright shirt and loud voice.'
American English
- (Very rare, informal) 'She totally flamingoed that presentation with her bold visuals.'
adverb
British English
- (Not used.)
American English
- (Not used.)
adjective
British English
- She painted her front door a lovely flamingo pink.
American English
- The cocktails were served with flamingo-colored straws.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism or branding (e.g., 'Flamingo Resort').
Academic
Used in zoology, ecology, and biology papers discussing species, migration, or conservation.
Everyday
Common when discussing animals, zoos, holidays, or garden ornaments.
Technical
Used in ornithology with species modifiers (e.g., 'Andean flamingo', 'lesser flamingo').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flamingo”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flamingo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flamingo”
- Misspelling as 'flamengo' or 'flamingoe' (singular). Incorrectly using 'flamingoes' as the only correct plural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Their pink colour comes from carotenoid pigments in the algae and crustaceans they eat.
Both 'flamingos' and 'flamingoes' are correct and widely accepted.
They are found in tropical and subtropical regions, often in saline lagoons, lakes, and estuaries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
Yes, 'flamingo' or 'flamingo pink' is a recognised name for a vibrant pinkish-orange colour.
A tall wading bird with long legs, a long flexible neck, and pink or red plumage, typically found in warm regions.
Flamingo is usually neutral. common in everyday, zoological, and travel contexts. in register.
Flamingo: in British English it is pronounced /fləˈmɪŋɡəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /fləˈmɪŋɡoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(rare) 'In like a flamingo' – to enter a situation in a conspicuous or flamboyant manner.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Flamingo: Fla-men-go. Think 'Fla' for flamboyant, 'men' for elegant, and 'go' for its walking grace.
Conceptual Metaphor
FLAMINGO IS ELEGANCE / FLAMINGO IS STANDING OUT (e.g., 'She was a flamingo among pigeons at the party.').
Practice
Quiz
What is a common collective noun for a group of flamingos?