What is the plural of 'ibis'?

Both 'ibis' and 'ibises' are accepted plurals, though 'ibises' is more common in general usage.

Is the ibis related to the stork?

Yes, both ibises and storks belong to the same order (Pelecaniformes), making them distant relatives.

Why is it called the 'sacred' ibis?

It is called the sacred ibis because it was associated with the Egyptian god Thoth and was often mummified in ancient Egyptian religious practices.

Where can I see an ibis?

Ibises are found in warm regions worldwide, including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia, typically in wetlands, marshes, and along riverbanks.

ibo

Low

UK/ˈaɪ.bɪs/US/ˈaɪ.bɪs/

Formal, Technical (Ornithology), Historical

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A long-legged wading bird with a long, down-curved bill, found in warm climates.

Any bird of the Threskiornithidae family, particularly associated with ancient Egyptian symbolism (sacred ibis).

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily a zoological term; evokes imagery of wetlands, Egyptology, or exotic wildlife.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are identical.

Connotations

Same connotations in both varieties: ornithology, ancient Egypt, exotic fauna.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used mainly in specific contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

sacred ibisglossy ibiswhite ibisibis species

medium

a flock of ibisesibis feathersthe ancient ibis

weak

ibis habitatibis populationrare ibis

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The [adjective] ibis [verb]A(n) [noun] of ibises

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

wading birdwaterbird

Weak

stork (broad category)heron (broad category)

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare; possibly in tourism (hotel names, e.g., 'Ibis Hotels'), branding.

Academic

Used in biology, zoology, ornithology papers, and archaeology/Egyptology texts.

Everyday

Uncommon; might appear in nature documentaries, travel writing, or crossword puzzles.

Technical

Specific use in taxonomic classification and ecological studies.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

The ibis population is thriving in the wetlands.

American English

We observed ibis behavior for the study.

Examples

By CEFR Level

I saw a big white bird. It was an ibis.

The ibis is a bird with a long, curved beak that lives near water.

The sacred ibis was venerated in ancient Egypt and often mummified.

Conservation efforts have focused on protecting the dwindling habitats of the glossy ibis, a species particularly sensitive to wetland degradation.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

"I BIS (by us) the river, you see the ibis."

Conceptual Metaphor

The ibis is often a metaphor for wisdom, sanctity, or exoticism, drawn from its Egyptian associations.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Do not confuse with 'ibis' (и́бис) which is a direct loanword and correct. No major trap.

Common Mistakes

Mispronunciation as /ˈɪb.ɪs/ or /iːˈbis/
Incorrect plural: 'ibis' (often remains 'ibis' or 'ibises')

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The ancient Egyptians considered the ibis to be a sacred animal.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary habitat of an ibis?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Both 'ibis' and 'ibises' are accepted plurals, though 'ibises' is more common in general usage.
: Yes, both ibises and storks belong to the same order (Pelecaniformes), making them distant relatives.
: It is called the sacred ibis because it was associated with the Egyptian god Thoth and was often mummified in ancient Egyptian religious practices.
: Ibises are found in warm regions worldwide, including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia, typically in wetlands, marshes, and along riverbanks.