motmot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “motmot” mean?
A tropical bird of the family Momotidae, known for its distinctive racket-tipped tail feathers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tropical bird of the family Momotidae, known for its distinctive racket-tipped tail feathers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific, or birdwatching-related in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, limited to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “motmot” in a Sentence
The [adjective] motmot [verb, e.g., perched, called].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and ornithology papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in contexts of tropical travel or birdwatching.
Technical
Standard term in ornithological field guides and scientific literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “motmot”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “motmot”
- Misspelling as 'motmot' (correct) is less common than confusion over the double 't'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, motmots are not commonly known outside of tropical regions and birdwatching circles. They are specialist birds of the Neotropics.
It is highly unlikely you would need to, unless specifically talking about this type of bird. It is a low-frequency, technical term.
Its most distinctive feature is its tail, where barbs are missing from a section of the feather shafts, creating a racket-like shape at the tips.
In British English, it is pronounced /ˈmɒtmɒt/ (like 'mot' in 'motorbike' said twice). In American English, it is /ˈmɑːtmɑːt/ (with a longer 'ah' sound).
A tropical bird of the family Momotidae, known for its distinctive racket-tipped tail feathers.
Motmot is usually technical / scientific in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MOTorboat (mot-mot) with two colourful feathers sticking up like a bird's tail.
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'motmot'?