shearwater: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2specialist, formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “shearwater” mean?
A medium-sized, long-winged seabird from the family Procellariidae (petrels), known for skimming close to the water's surface.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized, long-winged seabird from the family Procellariidae (petrels), known for skimming close to the water's surface.
It can refer specifically to species like the Manx shearwater or great shearwater. Figuratively, it evokes imagery of oceanic flight and navigation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific, or poetic. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used mostly in specialized contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “shearwater” in a Sentence
The [species name] shearwaterA flock of shearwatersShearwaters nest/forage/migrateVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Common in biology, ornithology, and environmental science papers.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in nature documentaries, travel writing about coasts, or crossword puzzles.
Technical
Standard term in zoological taxonomy and birdwatching guides.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shearwater”
- Misspelling as 'sheerwater'.
- Using it as a verb (it's a noun only).
- Confusing it with other seabirds like 'albatross' or 'gull'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are both seabirds in the order Procellariiformes, but albatrosses are much larger, with longer wingspans, and belong to a different family (Diomedeidae).
No. 'Shearwater' is exclusively a noun. The verb is 'shear' (to cut or skim).
Shearwaters are pelagic birds, spending most of their life on the open ocean. They come to remote islands and coastal cliffs only to breed.
It refers to a specific group of seabirds not commonly encountered in everyday life or conversation outside of coastal regions, birdwatching, and scientific contexts.
A medium-sized, long-winged seabird from the family Procellariidae (petrels), known for skimming close to the water's surface.
Shearwater is usually specialist, formal, literary in register.
Shearwater: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪəwɔːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪrwɑːtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird SHEARing (cutting/skimming) the WATER's surface with its wingtips as it flies.
Conceptual Metaphor
Nature's glider; the ocean's skimmer.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a shearwater's flight that gives it its name?