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

The Everglades is home to a number of threatened or endangered species including the Florida panther, American flamingos, manatees and American crocodiles. —James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

New this summer, mingle with the park’s flock of Caribbean flamingos. —Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025

The ambience here is easy breezy and eclectic; a row of pink flamingos lines an edge of the lawn and there are classic games like table tennis and hook and ring for additional entertainment. —Kate Lewis, New York Times, 19 June 2025

All throughout the day, guests can marvel at tropicbirds soaring along the cliffs or swing by the nature center to catch a glimpse of wild flamingos—but for best results, be sure to spend some time on the water. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 6 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