peacock

1 of 2

noun

pea·​cock ˈpē-ˌkäk 

1

: a male peafowl distinguished by a crest of upright feathers and by greatly elongated loosely webbed upper tail coverts which are mostly tipped with iridescent spots and are erected and spread in a shimmering fan usually as a courtship display

broadly : peafowl

2

: one making a proud display of oneself : show-off

peacockish

ˈpē-ˌkä-kish 

adjective

peacocky

ˈpē-ˌkä-kē 

adjective

peacock

2 of 2

verb

peacocked; peacocking; peacocks

intransitive verb

: show off

Examples of peacock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The entire design of the earrings is complete with inspiration from the peacock feather, which forms the main structure of the earring and creates a base for the pearl to drop. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Billy Porter, 2021 Billy Porter spread his wings in a dramatic Ashi Studio ensemble and a necklace that resembled peacock plumes, courtesy of Lorraine Schwartz. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

Some of the kinder ones would give a Christmas tip if the apprentices did a good job cleaning their boots but others, basking in the new money of the Premier League, preferred to peacock. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

The show’s beating heart is Cumming, who peacocks across the Scottish Highlands in ostentatious costumes while delivering one game show twist after the next. — Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pecok, from pe- (from Old English pēa peafowl, from Latin pavon-, pavo peacock) + cok cock

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing peacock

• peacock blue
• peacock flower

Rhymes for peacock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

Kids Definition

peacock

noun

pea·​cock

ˈpē-ˌkäk

: the male of a very large Asian pheasant having a very long brightly colored tail that can be spread or raised, a small crest of upright feathers on the top of the head, and in most forms brilliant blue or green feathers on the neck and shoulders

Biographical Definition

Peacock

biographical name

Pea·​cock ˈpē-ˌkäk 

Thomas Love 1785–1866 English novelist and poet