marabou

noun

mar·​a·​bou ˈmer-ə-ˌbü 

ˈma-rə-

variants or less commonly marabout

1

a

: a soft feathery fluffy material prepared from turkey feathers or the coverts of marabous and used especially for trimming women's hats or clothes

b

marabou : a large dark gray African stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) that has a distensible pouch of pink skin at the front of the neck and feeds especially on carrion

called also marabou stork

2

a

: silk composed of several twisted threads that is dyed before the sericin has been removed

b

: a fabric made of this silk

Illustration of marabou

• marabou 1b

Examples of marabou in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Laura Dern looks amazing in marabou feathers, Marissa Long stuns in sequins, and Chris Messina is also there. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2026

The heels appeared to be the Amour-03 Classic marabou slippers from the shoe brand Fabulicious, which are available on the Pleaser shoes website for $51. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 May 2026

Use marabou jigs, jigs tipped with one- to two-inch minnows and spoons for combing these deeper areas. —John Phillips, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026

The garment is associated with a distinctively feminine look, including accents such as lace, ruffles, appliques, marabou, bows and ribbons. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French marabout, literally, marabout

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for marabou

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue