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

Disney heir apparent Dana Walden and Dune: Part Two’s Denis Villeneuve didn’t appear to wear theirs, but Ariana Grande made an effort to pin hers over the marabou feathers of her dress. —Myles Hendrik, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025

Image The pale pink marabou and matching dress that Ms. Dalton designed for Ms. Chaplin’s character, Tonya, became instantly memorable. —Ash Wu, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025

Who but Cher would entertain the audience in belly-baring halter tops or marabou feathers and sequins? —Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 20 May 2021

At the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' second annual gala, Olivia Wilde wore a glittering silver gown from Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture with a pink marabou feather trim and sheer bodice. —Colleen Kratofil, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2024

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