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

Traveling to monitor loggerhead turtle nests, work with researchers to catch and mark bats, watch for more than 300 bird species, and sail on riverways with healthy populations of river otters, alligators, and occasional flamingos might suggest going to Costa Rica, Panama, or Colombia. —Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025

The island offers abundant nature experiences, including encounters with iguanas, native birds, flamingos, and seasonal whale watching. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

The oldest Mahomes child was seen jumping around and playing in her pink and green flamingo dress. —Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

Animals found far from their habitats Chappy isn't the only animal discovered away from its natural habitat in the U.S. After Hurricane Idalia slammed Florida in 2023, flamingos were spotted in nearly 20 states. —Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 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