# kiwi

/ˈkiwi/ (US) · /kˈiːwiː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kiwi
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the bird

noun · CEFR A2

a small bird from New Zealand that has a long beak and cannot fly.

For teachers: a flightless, nocturnal ratite of the genus Apteryx, endemic to New Zealand and characterized by a long bill and hair-like feathers.

- The kiwi is a famous symbol of New Zealand and is active mostly at night.
- Conservationists are working tirelessly to protect the kiwi from invasive predators that threaten the bird's natural forest habitat.

### 2. the fruit

noun · CEFR A2

a small fruit with brown, fuzzy skin and bright green flesh inside.

For teachers: the edible berry of a woody vine in the genus Actinidia, typically featuring fibrous brown skin and green or gold flesh.

- I sliced a kiwi to add some color and sweetness to the fruit salad.
- The chef garnished the pavlova with thin slices of kiwi and passion fruit to balance the sweetness of the meringue.

### 3. a person

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

an informal name for a person from New Zealand.

For teachers: an informal demonym for a New Zealander; widely accepted and used with pride by the population.

- My neighbor is a Kiwi who moved here from Auckland three years ago.
- The local rugby club welcomed several Kiwis into the squad, noting their impressive technical skills and physical presence on the pitch.

### 4. currency

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a casual name for the New Zealand dollar.

For teachers: a colloquial term for the New Zealand dollar (NZD) in financial and everyday contexts.

- The kiwi fell slightly against the US dollar after the latest economic report.
- Currency traders watched the kiwi closely as the central bank hinted at a potential shift in interest rate policy.

### 5. shoe polish

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Dialect

a brand of shoe polish often used to mean any black polish for boots.

For teachers: a genericized trademark for shoe polish, particularly in military or specific regional contexts.

- He spent the evening using some kiwi to make his boots shine for the parade.
- The recruits were instructed to apply the kiwi in circular motions until the leather achieved a mirror-like finish.

### 6. from New Zealand

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal

relating to New Zealand or its people.

For teachers: pertaining to New Zealand, its culture, or its inhabitants.

- We enjoyed some delicious Kiwi lamb at the restaurant last night.
- The festival showcased various aspects of Kiwi culture, ranging from traditional Maori performances to modern cinematic achievements.

### 7. to polish boots

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Dialect

to clean and shine shoes using black polish.

For teachers: to apply polish to footwear to achieve a high shine; often used as a transitive verb in specific regional dialects.

- You need to kiwi your boots before the inspection tomorrow morning.
- The sergeant insisted that every soldier kiwi their parade boots until they could see their own reflection in the toe caps.

## Examples

- I usually eat a kiwi for breakfast because it has a lot of vitamin C.
- While hiking in the national park, the guide hoped to spot a kiwi in its natural habitat.

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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.