gannet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal (ornithology); Informal/Colloquial (figurative, chiefly UK).
Quick answer
What does “gannet” mean?
A large seabird with predominantly white plumage, black wingtips, and a distinctive pale yellow or blue-grey head, known for its plunge-diving fishing technique.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large seabird with predominantly white plumage, black wingtips, and a distinctive pale yellow or blue-grey head, known for its plunge-diving fishing technique.
A greedy or voracious person, especially one who eats large quantities of food (colloquial, chiefly British).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The figurative sense ('a greedy person') is predominantly British. In American English, the word is almost exclusively used in its ornithological sense.
Connotations
UK: Can carry a mild, humorous critique of greed, especially regarding food. US: Neutral, purely zoological.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but slightly higher recognition in UK due to colloquial usage. More likely encountered in nature writing or coastal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gannet” in a Sentence
[Adj] gannetgannet [V] (e.g., dives, feeds, nests)gannet of [N] (figurative, e.g., a gannet of a man)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gannet” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's got that gannet-like stare when the pudding comes out.
American English
- The gannet population on the island is thriving.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and ornithology papers discussing seabird behaviour, colony dynamics, or marine ecology.
Everyday
Rare. Likely in UK: 'He's a right gannet, finished the whole pie!' In US/UK: 'We saw gannets diving off the cliffs.'
Technical
Specific reference in zoological taxonomy: 'Morus bassanus', and in conservation status reports.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gannet”
- Confusing with 'gannet' (bird) and 'gannet' (figurative) without cultural context. Misspelling as 'ganet'. Using figurative sense in formal US contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not typically. In its figurative British use, it is usually humorous and mild, akin to calling someone a 'pig' for eating a lot.
No, 'gannet' is exclusively a noun in standard usage.
They are closely related seabirds in the family Sulidae. Gannets (genus Morus) are typically larger, found in colder northern and southern waters, while boobies (genus Sula) are more tropical.
It likely stems from the bird's well-known presence around British coasts and its dramatic, voracious-looking plunge-diving behaviour, making it a vivid metaphor for gluttony in the local cultural lexicon.
A large seabird with predominantly white plumage, black wingtips, and a distinctive pale yellow or blue-grey head, known for its plunge-diving fishing technique.
Gannet is usually formal (ornithology); informal/colloquial (figurative, chiefly uk). in register.
Gannet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡænɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡænɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “eat like a gannet”
- “have the appetite of a gannet”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GANNET = GAnnets Are Notoriously N.E.T. (Never-ending Tummies).
Conceptual Metaphor
GREED IS AN INSATIABLE BIRD (UK colloquial).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'gannet' commonly used to describe a greedy person?