albino

1 of 2

noun

al·​bi·​no al-ˈbī-(ˌ)nō 

plural albinos

: an organism exhibiting deficient pigmentation

especially : a human being who is congenitally deficient in pigment and usually has a milky or translucent skin, white or colorless hair, and eyes with pink or blue iris and deep-red pupil

albino

2 of 2

adjective

: exhibiting the deficient pigmentation characteristic of albinos

albino sharks

The Draize test commonly uses six rabbits (preferably of the albino strain because of the clarity of their red eyes) to test a substance for eye irritancy.

—Rachel Urquhart

Examples of albino in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These signs recur throughout the annals of early Chinese history: unicorns; phoenixes; albino fish with red characters inscribed on their faces; dragons and turtles with mysterious inscriptions on their backs; iridescent earthworms; and more. —Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 2 Dec. 2024

The California Academy of Sciences' famous albino alligator named Claude has a whole book written about him. —Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Piebald deer have large patches of white hair often mixed with normal colors, according to the National Deer Assocation, while albino deer are all-white. —Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024

The reality star posted photos on Instagram of her dressed as an albino Alligator. —Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Spanish & Portuguese; Portuguese albino, borrowed from Spanish, noun derivative of albino, adjective, "lacking in pigment," from albo "white" (borrowed from Latin albus) + -ino -ine entry 1 — more at album

Adjective

borrowed from Spanish, "lacking in pigment" — more at albino entry 1

Note: Alternatively the adjective could be from attributive use of the noun.

First Known Use

Noun

1708, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1785, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

albino

noun

al·​bi·​no al-ˈbī-nō 

plural albinos

: an organism deficient in coloring matter

especially : a human being or animal that is born with a lack of pigment and usually a milky skin, white or colorless hair, and eyes with pink or blue iris and deep red pupil

albinism

ˈal-bə-ˌniz-əm

al-ˈbī-

noun

albino adjective

Medical Definition

albino

noun

al·​bi·​no al-ˈbī-(ˌ)nō 

plural albinos

: an organism exhibiting deficient pigmentation

especially : a human being who is congenitally deficient in pigment and usually has a milky or translucent skin, white or colorless hair, and eyes with pink or blue iris and deep-red pupil

albinic

-ˈbin-ik 

adjective