Definition of flamingo
flamingos
alsoflamingoes
: 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
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Illustration of flamingo
Origin and Etymology of flamingo
obsolete Spanish flamengo (now flamenco), literally, Fleming, German (conventionally thought of as ruddy-complexioned)
First Known Use: 1565
FLAMINGO Defined for English Language Learners
flamingo
playDefinition of flamingo for English Language Learners
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: a large tropical bird that has pink or red wings and a very long neck and legs
FLAMINGO Defined for Kids
flamingo
playDefinition of flamingo for Students
flamingos
orflamingoes
: a large pale pink to reddish waterbird with very long neck and legs and a broad bill bent downward at the end
History for flamingo
The English word flamingo came from the bird's Spanish name, which was originally spelled flamengo and is now flamenco. In Spanish flamenco literally means “Fleming,” which is a name for the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of Belgium. Spaniards conventionally thought of Flemings as fair, but with ruddy faces, and this is probably why they gave this name to the pinkish birds—though no one knows for certain.
Learn More about flamingo
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Spanish Central: Translation of flamingo Nglish: Translation of flamingo for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flamingo
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