teal
2 synonyms for teal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small, brightly coloured freshwater duck.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
blue green
bluish green
How to use teal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
teal blue
a teal duck
paint it teal
Etymology
Originally the name of the small duck, from Middle English tele; the colour sense — describing the blue-green patch on the bird's head and wings — only appeared in the 1920s.
Full origin of teal →Frequently asked questions
What does “teal” mean?
The word “teal” means a small, brightly coloured freshwater duck. In plain terms, either the small duck, or the blue-green colour named after its markings.
How do you pronounce “teal”?
“Teal” is pronounced teel (/til/ in IPA).
How do you use “teal” in a sentence?
Here is “teal” used in a sentence: “A pair of teal paddled quietly along the reeds.”
What part of speech is “teal”?
Depending on how it is used, “teal” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “teal” come from?
The word “teal” dates back to around 1920 and comes from Middle English. Originally the name of the small duck, from Middle English tele; the colour sense — describing the blue-green patch on the bird's head and wings — only appeared in the 1920s.
Is “teal” a common word?
“Teal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “teal” have?
“Teal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, brightly coloured freshwater duck.
