toucan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Specialised - Biology/Ornithology; also common in branding, advertising, and everyday contexts when discussing exotic animals.
Quick answer
What does “toucan” mean?
A tropical American bird with a very large, colourful beak.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tropical American bird with a very large, colourful beak.
A visual symbol representing tropical environments, exoticism, or fruit-flavoured breakfast cereals; a common motif in branding and logos for products evoking tropical themes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Spelling is identical. Both varieties refer to the same bird family.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties—evokes the tropics, rainforests, and vibrant colours.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, primarily appearing in nature documentaries, zoos, or discussions of tropical fauna.
Grammar
How to Use “toucan” in a Sentence
The toucan [VERB: flies, eats, perches].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “toucan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The toucan-inspired artwork was vivid.
- She wore a toucan-print dress.
American English
- The toucan-themed party had bright decorations.
- They bought toucan-patterned curtains.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in branding for companies wishing to evoke tropical, fun, or exotic qualities (e.g., travel agencies, fruit drinks).
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and ecology papers discussing Neotropical avifauna.
Everyday
Used when describing a zoo visit, a nature documentary, or referencing the cereal mascot.
Technical
Used in scientific classification (Family: Ramphastidae).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “toucan”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “toucan”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “toucan”
- Misspelling: 'toucan' as 'toucan' or 'tukan'. Incorrect plural: 'toucans' is correct, not 'toucan'. Confusing it with hornbills (African/Asian birds with similar large beaks).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a toucanet is a smaller species within the toucan family (Ramphastidae).
It is used for reaching and peeling fruit, but also for thermoregulation and as a visual signal in social interactions.
No, toucans are not known for mimicking human speech like some parrots. They have a repertoire of croaking and rattling calls.
The mascot 'Toucan Sam' has been used since 1963 to market Froot Loops cereal, associating the bird's bright colours with the cereal's fruit flavours.
A tropical American bird with a very large, colourful beak.
Toucan is usually specialised - biology/ornithology; also common in branding, advertising, and everyday contexts when discussing exotic animals. in register.
Toucan: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtuːkæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtuːkæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Live like a toucan (very rare, invented for marketing: to live colourfully/exotically).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a toucan with a beak so large it says 'TOO CAN' carry a big fruit. 'TOO CAN' sounds like 'toucan'.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIBRANT COLOUR IS EXOTICISM / THE EXOTIC IS ATTRACTIVELY BIZARRE.
Practice
Quiz
Where are toucans naturally found?