noun
Uncommon
emu
EEM-yoo
Emu (noun) means a large flightless Australian bird, second only to the ostrich in height, with shaggy grey-brown feathers. Example: “A herd of wild emus crossed the outback road.”
noun
1
A large flightless Australian bird, second only to the ostrich in height, with shaggy grey-brown feathers.
"A herd of wild emus crossed the outback road."
"The emu can run at surprising speed despite its bulk."
How to use emu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAustralia's big flightless bird, like a smaller, shaggier cousin of the ostrich.
Common pairings
wild emu
emu feathers
emu farm
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Word forms
- Plural
- emus
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A herd of wild _____ crossed the outback road.
Etymology
Likely from Portuguese ema, originally used for the cassowary and later applied to the emu and ostrich too.
Synonyms
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electromagnetic unit
Frequently asked questions
What does “emu” mean?
The word “emu” means a large flightless Australian bird, second only to the ostrich in height, with shaggy grey-brown feathers. In plain terms, australia's big flightless bird, like a smaller, shaggier cousin of the ostrich.
How do you pronounce “emu”?
“Emu” is pronounced EEM-yoo (/ˈim(j)u/ in IPA).
How do you use “emu” in a sentence?
Here is “emu” used in a sentence: “A herd of wild emus crossed the outback road.”
What part of speech is “emu”?
“Emu” is a noun.
Where does the word “emu” come from?
The word “emu” comes from Portuguese. Likely from Portuguese ema, originally used for the cassowary and later applied to the emu and ostrich too.
Is “emu” a common word?
“Emu” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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