# penguin

/ˈpɛŋɡwən/ (US) · /pˈɛŋɡwɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/penguin
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the bird

noun · CEFR A1

a black and white bird that lives in the Southern Hemisphere and cannot fly.

For teachers: any of several flightless aquatic birds of the family Spheniscidae, characterised by an upright stance and wings evolved into flippers.

- The children loved watching the penguins waddle across the ice at the zoo.
- Emperor penguins are remarkable for their ability to survive the harsh Antarctic winter while protecting their eggs from the freezing temperatures.

### 2. non-flying air force staff

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Slang

a member of the air force who works on the ground and does not fly planes.

For teachers: a member of the air force whose duties are restricted to ground operations. The term is usually used as a lighthearted or derogatory label for non-aircrew personnel.

- He joined the air force to be a pilot, but he ended up as a penguin in the office.
- The pilots often teased the ground technicians by calling them penguins, implying they had wings but were unable to leave the tarmac.

### 3. a nun

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous · Slang

a humorous or slightly rude name for a nun because of her black and white clothes.

For teachers: a slang term for a nun, referencing the visual similarity between a traditional habit and the plumage of the bird.

- In the old movie, the kids were always trying to hide from the penguins at their school.
- The comedian made a joke about being taught by penguins, referring to the strict nuns who ran his childhood parish school.

### 4. the plant

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a tropical plant with sharp spines and fruit that looks like an egg.

For teachers: a spiny bromeliad (Bromelia pinguin) native to the American tropics, known for its edible but highly acidic fruit.

- The hikers had to be careful not to touch the sharp leaves of the penguin plant.
- Bromelia pinguin, commonly known as the penguin, is often used as a living fence in tropical regions due to its formidable spines.

## Examples

- The penguin swims quickly through the cold water.
- During the winter, the male penguin keeps the egg warm on its feet while the female hunts for fish.
- While most species are associated with Antarctic ice, several varieties of penguin inhabit more temperate climates, including the Galápagos Islands near the equator.

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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.