kingfisher
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of kingfisher
1400–50; king + fisher; replacing king's fisher, late Middle English kinges fisher
Explanation
A kingfisher is a colorful bird that catches fish by diving dramatically into the water. The Australian kookaburra is the largest species of kingfisher. Among about 90 different kingfisher species, most have brilliant blue feathers and a very long, pointed bill. These bright birds are mainly found in tropical climates near rivers and other bodies of water, making fish and crustaceans the major part of their diet. Etymologists know the bird's original name was king's fisher (with the fisher part being self-explanatory), but the rest of the word's history is unknown.
Vocabulary lists containing kingfisher
Birds, Birds, Birds, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kingfisher said its results were hurt by seasonal demand and the late start to spring hitting footfall.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
T. Kingfisher is a prolific writer and illustrator who also writes under her own name, Ursula Vernon, when creating for younger readers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026
But for many Vistara loyalists, its demise leaves a void in India’s skies for a premium, full-service carrier - marking the third such gap after the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways.
From BBC • Nov. 10, 2024
After six years there, Wilcox jumped to another new venture, India’s Kingfisher Airlines.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2024
She motions toward Navarre Kingfisher with her lips.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
