# albatross

/ˈæɫbəˌtɹɑs/ (US) · /ˈælbɐtɹˌɒs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/albatross
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.