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

Imagine wearing a flamingo outfit while dunking your target’s head in a toilet. —George Yang, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025

But according to the study’s findings, resident flamingos age much more rapidly than do migratory flamingos. —Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

This neighborhood was created with kids in mind with bright colors, a giant flamingo greeting them, and the Splashaway Bay play area and carousel in the middle. —Sari Hitchins, Parents, 1 Sep. 2025

But the Bill Brigade could not wrap their heads around declaring that ducks, grebes or flamingos have beaks. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 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