peacock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, with negative connotation in metaphorical use.
Quick answer
What does “peacock” mean?
A large male bird of the pheasant family, with bright blue and green plumage and very long tail feathers that can be fanned out, noted for its extravagant display.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large male bird of the pheasant family, with bright blue and green plumage and very long tail feathers that can be fanned out, noted for its extravagant display.
A person, especially a man, who is ostentatious, vain, and fond of showing off his clothes, possessions, or abilities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Spelling is consistent. The verb 'to peacock' is slightly more common in modern marketing/trend contexts in AmE.
Connotations
Identical connotations of vanity and display. The bird is associated with pride and regality in both cultures.
Frequency
Similar frequency for the noun. The verb form may appear more frequently in US-based style and business journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “peacock” in a Sentence
to peacock (around/about) [verb, intransitive]to peacock oneself [verb, reflexive, rare]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peacock” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He spent the evening peacocking about in his new velvet jacket.
- The influencer loves to peacock her latest acquisitions online.
American English
- The contestants peacocked down the runway, showing their unique styles.
- Startups often peacock their growth metrics to attract investors.
adverb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) He walked peacock-proudly into the room.
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard) She danced peacock-vainly in front of the mirror.
adjective
British English
- She wore a stunning peacock-blue dress to the gala.
- The room was decorated in rich peacock hues.
American English
- He has a peacock attitude that puts some people off.
- The designer's new line features peacock colors.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
(Verb) 'The brand encourages customers to peacock their purchases on social media.'
Academic
(Noun) 'The peacock served as a complex symbol of immortality in Hellenistic art.'
Everyday
(Noun) 'We saw a peacock displaying its feathers at the park.' or 'He's such a peacock in his new suit.'
Technical
(Noun) 'Pavo cristatus, the Indian peafowl, is a sexually dimorphic species.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “peacock”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “peacock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peacock”
- Using 'peacock' to refer to the female bird (correct: 'peahen').
- Overusing the metaphorical noun in formal writing.
- Incorrectly conjugating the verb: 'He peacocked' (not 'peacook').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A peacock is specifically the male. The female is called a 'peahen', and the species collectively are 'peafowl'.
Yes, informally. It means to strut or behave in a vain, ostentatious manner to attract attention (e.g., 'He peacocked around the party').
Besides gender, the peacock is known for its long, colourful tail feathers (train) used in displays, while the peahen is smaller and has subdued brownish plumage for camouflage.
No, it is generally an insult, implying he is vain, arrogant, and overly concerned with his appearance.
A large male bird of the pheasant family, with bright blue and green plumage and very long tail feathers that can be fanned out, noted for its extravagant display.
Peacock is usually neutral, with negative connotation in metaphorical use. in register.
Peacock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpiːkɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpiːkɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Proud as a peacock.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A PEAcock wants everyone to PEAk (look) at its COlourful tail.
Conceptual Metaphor
VANITY IS A DISPLAY OF PLUMAGE / A PERSON IS A BIRD.
Practice
Quiz
In modern business jargon, 'to peacock' most closely means: