noun

hoopoe

HOO-poo

Quiz me More like this

Hoopoe (noun) means a bird of the genus Upupa, found in the Old World and best known for its striking plumage, fan-shaped crest and slender bill. Example: “The hoopoe is easy to recognise because of its crest.”

noun

A bird of the genus Upupa, found in the Old World and best known for its striking plumage, fan-shaped crest and slender bill.

"The hoopoe is easy to recognise because of its crest."

"She spent the morning hoping to photograph a hoopoe."

"Several hoopoes were feeding on the lawn when we arrived."

How to use hoopoe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA hoopoe is a colourful bird with a fanlike crest and a long, thin bill.

When to use it

It is a neutral, everyday word for a bird, used in both general and scientific writing.

Memory tip

The plural is hoopoes, and the word ends in a silent e, so the spelling looks odd next to the sound.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

Eurasian hoopoe spot a hoopoe hoopoe call a pair of hoopoes

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like hoopoe.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “hoopoe” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ is easy to recognise because of its crest.

Etymology

Hoopoe is an altered form of the obsolete word hoopoop, which came from the earlier hoop. That in turn came from Middle and Old French huppe, from Latin upupa, a name that is imitative in origin.

Origin: Middle French

Synonyms

View more →

hoopoo

Rhymes for hoopoe

OE toe foe doe roe Joe hoe woe Zoe moe soe Coe

See all rhymes for hoopoe →

Frequently asked questions

What is a hoopoe?

A hoopoe is a bird of the genus Upupa, found in the Old World. It has a crest that fans out, a long thin bill and striking feathers.

How do you pronounce hoopoe?

Both HOO-poo and HOO-poh are heard in British and American English. Either way, the stress falls on the first syllable.

Where does the word hoopoe come from?

It comes from the earlier English hoop, which was borrowed from French huppe and ultimately from Latin upupa. The Latin name is thought to be imitative in origin.

What is the meaning of hoopoe?

"hoopoe" (noun) means a bird of the genus Upupa, found in the Old World and best known for its striking plumage, fan-shaped crest and slender bill.