Word
waterfowl
Phoneticswa·ter·fowl, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɔtɝˌfaʊɫ/
UK/wˈɔːtəfˌaʊl/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. birds that live near water, such as ducks, geese, and swans. You use this word to describe a group of birds that swim or dive in lakes, rivers, and oceans.
n. any of various birds of the order Anseriformes, including ducks, geese, swans, and their relatives. Often used in ecological or ornithological contexts to refer to the collective group.
Examples
“The lake is home to many types of waterfowl.”
“During the winter months, large flocks of waterfowl migrate to the wetlands to find food and shelter.”
“Conservationists are working to restore the wetlands to attract native waterfowl, which have seen a significant decline in population due to urban expansion.”
Examples
simple
“The lake is home to many types of waterfowl.”
contextual
“During the winter months, large flocks of waterfowl migrate to the wetlands to find food and shelter.”
complex
“Conservationists are working to restore the wetlands to attract native waterfowl, which have seen a significant decline in population due to urban expansion.”
Real-World Examples
“So far, the researchers have documented the presence of darters, a giant crane and several waterfowl, including the unusual Allgoviachen tortonica and a dwarf duck.” “The white-headed duck is “one of the true eccentrics of the waterfowl world because almost everything about it seems unusual,” says waterfowl expert Nicky Petkov.” Etymology
From Middle English waterfoul, water-foul, equivalent to water + fowl. Compare Old English dopfugel (“waterfowl, moorhen”, literally “dipping-fowl”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Idioms
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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