noun
Uncommon
teal
teel
Teal (noun) means a small, brightly coloured freshwater duck. Example: “A pair of teal paddled quietly along the reeds.”
noun
1
A small, brightly coloured freshwater duck.
"A pair of teal paddled quietly along the reeds."
2
A dark blue-green colour, named after markings on the duck.
"She repainted the bathroom in a calming teal."
adj
1
Having this blue-green colour.
"He wore a teal tie to match the invitation."
How to use teal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the small duck, or the blue-green colour named after its markings.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
teal blue
a teal duck
paint it teal
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Word forms
- Plural
- teals
- Comparative
- more teal
- Superlative
- most teal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A pair of _____ paddled quietly along the reeds.
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.
Class of 1920
teal joined the language around 1920.
See the full Class of 1920 →
Synonyms
View more →
blue green
bluish green
Rhymes for teal
See all rhymes for 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.
