Word
Definition
n. a very large bird with long wings that lives in the ocean. It is famous for flying very far and for being a symbol of something that causes trouble or bad luck.
n. a large, long-winged seabird belonging to the family Diomedeidae. Often used metaphorically to represent a burden or a source of misfortune.
Examples
“The albatross flew over the ship for hours.”
“The sailor felt a heavy albatross on his chest after he accidentally killed the bird.”
“The albatross is a master of dynamic soaring, using the wind currents to travel vast distances across the open ocean with minimal effort.”
Examples
simple
“The albatross flew over the ship for hours.”
contextual
“The sailor felt a heavy albatross on his chest after he accidentally killed the bird.”
complex
“The albatross is a master of dynamic soaring, using the wind currents to travel vast distances across the open ocean with minimal effort.”
Real-World Examples
“Is Super Hans your golden goose – or the albatross round your neck?” “Along the way, it is expected to encounter massive waves, freezing temperatures, ferocious winds, and even the odd curious seal or albatross.” Etymology
Uncertain. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz (“pelican, gannet, albatross”), probably derived from Arabic الْغَطَّاس (al-ḡaṭṭās, “the diver”) (compare Alcatraz); or from Portuguese alcatruz (“water wheel bucket”), from Arabic الْقَادُوس (al-qādūs), from Ancient Greek κάδος (kádos, “pail, jar”), in reference to the pouch of a pelican. In either case, altered under the influence of Latin albus (“white”). Not derived from modern Arabic قَطْرَس (qaṭras, “albatross”), which is perhaps borrowed from Spanish. For sense development of "burden", see albatross around one’s neck.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/albatross
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0