loerie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/RegionalInformal, Regional (Southern Africa)
Quick answer
What does “loerie” mean?
A brightly coloured, crested African bird, specifically of the family Musophagidae, also known as a turaco or lourie.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A brightly coloured, crested African bird, specifically of the family Musophagidae, also known as a turaco or lourie.
In South African English, the name is commonly used for the Knysna and Purple-crested Turaco. The term may evoke the distinctive red flight feathers and loud, repetitive calls of the bird, and is sometimes used in local place names.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively used in South African English. It is not part of standard British or American vocabulary.
Connotations
In its regional context, it may have neutral to positive connotations associated with vibrant wildlife. For non-South Africans, it is simply an unfamiliar exotic term.
Frequency
Frequency is near-zero in both British and American English corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “loerie” in a Sentence
[The/ A] loerie [verb e.g., called, flew, perched]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in regional zoology, ecology, or ornithology papers focused on Southern Africa.
Everyday
Used in everyday speech in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and neighbouring countries when referring to the bird.
Technical
In technical ornithology, 'Musophagidae' or 'turaco' is preferred; 'loerie' is a regional common name.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “loerie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “loerie”
- Misspelling as 'louri', 'lory' (which is a parrot), or 'lorrie'.
- Using it as a general term for any colourful bird outside Africa.
- Incorrect plural: 'loeries' is standard, not 'loerie' for plural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'loerie' (or 'lourie') is the common South African English name for birds in the turaco family (Musophagidae).
It is typically pronounced /ˈlʊəri/ (LOO-uh-ree) in South African English, often sounding like 'loorie'.
It is not widely understood internationally. In global contexts, use the term 'turaco' for clarity.
A South African saying is 'to have a loerie on your roof', meaning to be very lucky.
A brightly coloured, crested African bird, specifically of the family Musophagidae, also known as a turaco or lourie.
Loerie is usually informal, regional (southern africa) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As scarce as a loerie in London (rare/unlikely)”
- “To have a loerie on your roof (to be very lucky - South African informal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird with a LOUD, REpetitive call in the African bush: LOUD-rie → LOERIE.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIBRANT COLOUR IS A LOERIE (e.g., 'Her dress was as bright as a loerie's wings').
Practice
Quiz
In which region is the word 'loerie' commonly used?