turkey
- 01 A1 Beginner
a large bird with a bald head and a fan-shaped tail.
a large galliform bird of the genus Meleagris, native to North America.
Simple“The farmer raised a flock of turkeys for the autumn market.”
In context“Wild turkeys are surprisingly agile flyers, unlike their domesticated counterparts which are bred primarily for size and meat production.”
- 02 A1 Beginner
the meat from a turkey, often served at big family meals.
the flesh of the turkey used as food, typically roasted whole.
Simple“We had roast turkey and mashed potatoes for dinner.”
In context“Leftover turkey can be used in sandwiches, soups, or stews for several days after the holiday feast.”
- 03 A2 Elementary
a country located between Europe and Asia, now officially called Türkiye.
a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.
Simple“Many people visit Turkey to see the historic sites in Istanbul.”
In context“The Republic of Turkey officially requested that the international community use the name Türkiye to better represent its culture and values.”
Teacher's tipWhile 'Turkey' is the traditional English name, the official name is now 'Türkiye'; learners should be aware of both forms.
Synonymstürkiye - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a person who is silly, foolish, or makes mistakes.
a person who is considered inept, stupid, or foolish.
Simple“Don't be such a turkey and just follow the instructions.”
In context“He felt like a total turkey after realizing he had been wearing his shirt inside out all afternoon.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
something that fails completely, like a bad movie or play.
a theatrical production, film, or commercial venture that is a complete failure.
Simple“The new sci-fi movie was a real turkey and lost millions of dollars.”
In context“Despite a massive marketing budget and a star-studded cast, the play turned out to be a turkey and closed after only three nights.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
three strikes in a row in a game of bowling.
the achievement of three consecutive strikes in a single game of ten-pin bowling.
Simple“He was so excited when he finally bowled a turkey in the final frame.”
In context“Achieving a turkey early in the game gave her a significant points advantage over the other competitors.”
- 07 C2 Proficiency
a patient who pretends to be sick when they are actually fine.
a patient who feigns or exaggerates symptoms, often to obtain drugs or avoid work.
Simple“The nurse suspected the man was a turkey just looking for a bed for the night.”
In context“In emergency room slang, a turkey is someone who presents with vague symptoms but has no underlying clinical pathology.”
Teacher's tipThis is very specific medical jargon; it is often derogatory and should be used with caution.
Synonymsmalingerer
From Middle English Turkye, from Anglo-Norman Turkye, Medieval Latin Turcia, from Turcus (“Turk”), from Byzantine Greek Τοῦρκος (Toûrkos), from Classical Persian تُرْک (turk), from Middle Persian [script needed] (twlk' /turk/), from Old Turkic 𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰜 (t²ür²k̥).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.