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

Take a walking safari to spot Canadian lynx, Chilean flamingoes, and African penguins. —Elaine Glusac, AFAR Media, 19 May 2025

From learning more about a flamingo's diet to exploring how tall camels are, children gain insights into how different creatures eat, sleep, and play. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 10 Apr. 2025

There are over 100,000 birds counted in the lagoon, mostly flamingos and pelicans, pink against the gray coast, very delicate coloring. —Lea Lane, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

So, Ortega Jiménez and his team took a closer look with the help of three Chilean flamingos at the Nashville Zoo. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 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