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

That year, Taylor Swift hosted a pool party bash for all her main squeezes — who assembled themselves on Funboy’s oversized rafts that resembled not only swans but flamingos and pegasi, too. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 23 July 2025

Some of the more unique animals at the zoo include the python, giant anteater, cheetah, flamingos, Florida panther and the capybara. —Amy Bentley, Oc Register, 23 July 2025

It will be followed by birding and animal spotting across wadis, mangroves and desert highlands, with targets including pelicans, flamingos, kingfishers, hamadryas baboons and gazelles. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2025

Plastic gnomes, pink flamingos, and, even worse, MAGA signs are only the beginning. —Ashley Baker, Air Mail, 19 July 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