whidah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist/Technical
Quick answer
What does “whidah” mean?
A small African songbird (family Viduidae), where the males have very long tail feathers during the breeding season.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small African songbird (family Viduidae), where the males have very long tail feathers during the breeding season.
Sometimes used poetically or in historical contexts to refer to something graceful or elongated. More commonly encountered in the variant spelling 'whydah'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The spelling 'whydah' is more common in both varieties, with 'whidah' being a less common variant.
Connotations
Neutral, technical. Evokes imagery of Africa, exotic birds, and dramatic plumage.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, confined to ornithological texts, birdwatching circles, and crossword puzzles.
Grammar
How to Use “whidah” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] whidah [VERB].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Exclusively used in ornithology and zoology papers.
Everyday
Almost unknown. A speaker might say, 'I saw a fascinating bird called a whidah on a nature documentary.'
Technical
The primary domain. E.g., 'The mating display of the *Vidua paradisaea* involves complex flight patterns.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whidah”
- Misspelling as 'whiddah' or 'whidder'. Confusing it with completely different birds like 'weaver' or 'quelea'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'whidah' and 'whydah' are variant spellings for the same group of birds. 'Whydah' is the more common spelling.
They are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Outside Africa, they are found in zoos, specialised aviaries, and in the wild as introduced species in places like Puerto Rico.
Yes, they are closely related. Both are in the family Viduidae, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, though 'widowbird' often refers to specific genera within the family.
The name comes from 'Whidah' (now Ouidah), a port in Benin, West Africa, from where the type species was first exported to Europe.
A small African songbird (family Viduidae), where the males have very long tail feathers during the breeding season.
Whidah is usually specialist/technical in register.
Whidah: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɪdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɪdə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WHIDAH bird with a WIDe, flowing tail that HAHs as it flies.
Conceptual Metaphor
LONG, DRAMATIC TAIL FEATHERS ARE A TRAIN/PLUME (e.g., 'a whidah's tail trails behind it like a wedding gown's train').
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a male whidah?