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

For nature lovers, the nearby Camargue—known for its wild beauty, pink salt flats, and flamingos—is a must-visit. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Ideally, the song of the summer is a buoyant one, giving you a beat to bob a flamingo floatie to. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 26 July 2025

Later that same year, wild flamingos were seen along the shores of Lake Michigan for the first time. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025

Now the island has the greatest biodiversity in the BVIs, including seven types of Madagascan lemurs, giant tortoises, flamingos, and miniature horses that guests can interact with. —Hannah Seligson, Robb Report, 19 June 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