flamingo

[ fluh-ming-goh ]

/ fləˈmɪŋ goʊ /

noun, plural fla·min·gos, fla·min·goes.

any of several aquatic birds of the family Phoenicopteridae, having very long legs and neck, webbed feet, a bill bent downward at the tip, and pinkish to scarlet plumage.

Nearby words

flameout, flameproof, flamethrower, flaming, flaming sword, flamingo, flamingo-flower, flaminian way, flamininus, flaminius, flammable

Origin of flamingo

1555–65; compare Portuguese flamengo, Spanish flamenco literally, Fleming (cf. flamenco); apparently originally a jocular name, from the conventional Romance image of the Flemish as ruddy-complexioned

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for flamingo

The sex symbol and ‘Flamingo Road’ star knows more about Syria and science than you do—and she can handle herself in war zones.
Morgan Fairchild: Badass Foreign Policy Wonk|Asawin Suebsaeng|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Marie Osmond, who performs at the Flamingo with her brother Donny, describes what it was like trick-or-treating last Halloween.
Can Celine Dion Save Vegas?|Tony Doukopil, Ramin Setoodeh|March 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The boats were cast adrift, as the crews were too exhausted to hoist them in, and the Flamingo's nose was turned toward Liverpool.
A Master of Fortune|Cutcliffe Hyne
After a moment' pause she continued: "He told you all about the race which Flamingo lost, and about that letter."
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker

Thus the flamingo when feeding assumes the position it would adopt when about to stand on its head!
Glimpses of Indian Birds|Douglas Dewar
The American flamingo, with his gorgeous scarlet feathers, is a superb fellow.
St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 4, February 1878|Various
It was plain that the Flamingo was thinking of a ship as another and more mysterious bird.
The Trail Book|Mary Austin

British Dictionary definitions for flamingo

flamingo

/ (fləˈmɪŋɡəʊ) /

noun plural -gos or -goes

any large wading bird of the family Phoenicopteridae, having a pink-and-red plumage and downward-bent bill and inhabiting brackish lakes: order Ciconiiformes

a reddish-orange colour
(as adjective)flamingo gloves

Word Origin for flamingo

C16: from Portuguese flamengo, from Provençal flamenc, from Latin flamma flame + Germanic suffix -ing denoting descent from or membership of; compare -ing ³

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012