# flamingo

/fɫəˈmɪŋɡoʊ/ (US) · /flɛmˈɪŋɡəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flamingo
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a large pink or orange bird with very long legs and a long neck. They often stand on one leg in shallow water.

For teachers: a large, gregarious wading bird of the family Phoenicopteridae, characterised by pink or reddish plumage, a long neck, and a downward-curving bill.

## Examples

- The flamingo stood perfectly still on one leg.
- Visitors at the zoo watched the flamingo use its curved beak to filter small organisms from the water.
- The vibrant pink hue of a flamingo's feathers is not innate but is derived from the carotenoid pigments found in the algae and crustaceans that constitute its primary diet.

## Usage notes

- The plural form is usually 'flamingos', though 'flamingoes' is also an accepted spelling.

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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.