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

In 1940, the Duke of Windsor commissioned Cartier to create a flamingo brooch made of emeralds, rubies, sapphires, gold, diamonds and citrine that reflected his wife’s colorful character. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025

Not only are camels strolling along the shore, but flamingos are also wading in the shallows right next to them. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Each of them wore flashy swim trunks, decorated with bright patterns of flamingos, pizza and an American flag. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025

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

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