flamingo

noun

fla·​min·​go flə-ˈmiŋ-(ˌ)gō 

plural flamingos also flamingoes

: any of several large aquatic birds (family Phoenicopteridae) with long legs and neck, webbed feet, a broad lamellate bill resembling that of a duck but abruptly bent downward, and usually rosy-white plumage with scarlet wing coverts and black wing quills

Illustration of flamingo

Examples of flamingo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vater suggests opting for Royal Hawaiian® ‘Waikiki’ Colocasia, which features flamingo pink flowers with white veining, creating a striking counterpoint to emerald green foliage. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025

Catch up quick: The attraction, officially named the Gottesman Family Endangered Species Carousel, has alligators, flamingos, elephants, giraffes, frogs, lions and other endangered animals to ride instead of horses. —Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025

While Léo and his pals nervously poke fun at the snogging all around them, the boy has trouble reconciling his feelings for a girl named Lucie, who makes his own lips light up like a neon flamingo. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025

Others would come down to hunt for flamingo eggs, but very few birds visit these parts any more, Plaza says. —John Bartlett, NPR, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete Spanish flamengo (now flamenco), literally, Fleming, German (conventionally thought of as ruddy-complexioned)

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for flamingo

• bingo
• dingo
• gringo
• lingo

Kids Definition

flamingo

noun

fla·​min·​go flə-ˈmiŋ-gō 

plural flamingos also flamingoes

: any of several rosy-white birds with scarlet wings, a very long neck and legs, and a broad bill bent down at the end that are often found wading in shallow water

Etymology

from Portuguese flamingo "flamingo," from Spanish flamenco "flamingo," derived from Latin flamma "flame"; so called from the fiery red feathers on the underside of the wings