Word
hummingbird
Phoneticshum·ming·bird, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhəmɪŋˌbɝd/
UK/hˈʌmɪŋbˌɜːd/
Definition
n. a very small bird with a long, thin beak and wings that beat very fast. You often see them flying around flowers to drink nectar.
n. any of various small, brightly coloured birds of the family Trochilidae, characterized by a long, slender bill and rapid wingbeats. Found primarily in the Americas.
Examples
“The hummingbird hovered near the red flowers.”
“During our trip to the rainforest, we watched a hummingbird dart from flower to flower to feed.”
“The hummingbird's unique ability to hover in place is achieved through a rapid wingbeat that allows it to maintain stability while feeding on nectar.”
Examples
simple
“The hummingbird hovered near the red flowers.”
contextual
“During our trip to the rainforest, we watched a hummingbird dart from flower to flower to feed.”
complex
“The hummingbird's unique ability to hover in place is achieved through a rapid wingbeat that allows it to maintain stability while feeding on nectar.”
Etymology
From humming (noun) + bird, in reference to the humming sound made by the rapidly moving wings.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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