peacock
PEE-kok
Peacock (noun) means a male peafowl, especially known for its long, iridescent, fan-shaped tail. Example: “The peacock spread its tail feathers to attract a mate.”
noun
1
A male peafowl, especially known for its long, iridescent, fan-shaped tail.
"The peacock spread its tail feathers to attract a mate."
2
A vain or pompous person who shows off.
"He strutted into the meeting like a peacock in his new suit."
verb
1
To show off or dress in an ostentatious way to impress others.
"The younger guys loved to peacock around the club on a Friday night."
How to use peacock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe showy male peafowl, or — as slang — someone who dresses or behaves to draw attention.
Common pairings
proud as a peacock
peacock feathers
peacock around
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Word forms
- Plural
- peacocks
- Third person singular
- peacocks
- Past tense
- peacocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ spread its tail feathers to attract a mate.
Etymology
From Middle English pecok, combining pea (an old word for peafowl, from Latin pavo) with cock ("male bird").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “peacock” mean?
The word “peacock” means a male peafowl, especially known for its long, iridescent, fan-shaped tail. In plain terms, the showy male peafowl, or — as slang — someone who dresses or behaves to draw attention.
How do you pronounce “peacock”?
“Peacock” is pronounced PEE-kok (/ˈpikɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “peacock” in a sentence?
Here is “peacock” used in a sentence: “The peacock spread its tail feathers to attract a mate.”
What is another word for “peacock”?
Words with a similar meaning to “peacock” include peafowl.
What part of speech is “peacock”?
Depending on how it is used, “peacock” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “peacock” come from?
The word “peacock” comes from Latin. From Middle English pecok, combining pea (an old word for peafowl, from Latin pavo) with cock ("male bird").
Is “peacock” a common word?
“Peacock” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “peacock” have?
“Peacock” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male peafowl, especially known for its long, iridescent, fan-shaped tail.
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