kiwi
[ kee-wee ]
/ ˈki wi /
Save This Word!
noun, plural ki·wis.
any of several flightless, ratite birds of the genus Apteryx, of New Zealand, allied to the extinct moas.
Also called Chinese gooseberry. the egg-sized, edible berry of the Chinese gooseberry, having fuzzy brownish skin and slightly tart green flesh.
Slang.
- a member of an air service, as in World War I, who is confined to ground duty.
- a former pilot or member of a flight crew.
Informal. a New Zealander.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of kiwi
Borrowed into English from Maori around 1825–35
Words nearby kiwi
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for kiwi
Why Do “Left” And “Right” Mean Liberal And Conservative?
What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”?
What Is “GOP” Short For?
“Effectiveness” vs. “Efficacy” vs. “Efficiency”: When To Use Each Word For The Best Results
“Vaccinate” vs. “Inoculate” vs. “Immunize”: What Are The Differences?
9 Of The Most Common Types of Pronouns
British Dictionary definitions for kiwi
kiwi
/ (ˈkiːwiː) /
noun plural kiwis
any nocturnal flightless New Zealand bird of the genus Apteryx, having a long beak, stout legs, and weakly barbed feathers: order ApterygiformesSee ratite
short for kiwi fruit
informal a New Zealander
Word Origin for kiwi
C19: from Māori, of imitative origin
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