What does "peacock" mean?
A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.
Peacock
/ˈpikɑk/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.
- Grammar: peacock is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: antigorite, attitudinize, avifauna, baby bird.
- Useful contrasts: conceal, downplay, humble.
- Usage evidence: The peacock has a truly gorgeous tail.
How to use "peacock"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "peacock" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "peacock" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "peacock" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "peacock" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "peacock" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "antigorite" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "peacock", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.
"The ſpring diſplaying her elegant taſte, the proud walk of the gold-feathered pheaſant, the light tread of the ſmall-hoofed hind, and the dancing of the ſtar-trained peacock, infuſed joy into the ſoul of the ſpectator of the aſtoniſhing works of the Creator."
- 2 male peafowl; having a crested head and very large fanlike tail marked with iridescent eyes or spots wordnet
- 3 A peafowl (of the genus Pavo or Afropavo), either male or female.
- 4 European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot wordnet
- 5 A pompous or vainglorious person [from the 14th c.].
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Any of various Asian species of papilionid butterflies of the genus Papilio.
Verb
- 1 To strut about proudly or haughtily. intransitive
"A routine border-check in upstate New York had turned into a back-room interrogation, and I was worried, because the three friends I was traveling with didn’t respond to authority well. I could almost hear the wry grins cracking their faces as the officers peacocked. “Is U.S. Customs a joke to you?” one officer asked. My friend Alex said, “No law against smiling, sir.”"
- 2 To engage in peacocking, ostentatious dress or behaviour to impress women. intransitive
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname transferred from the nickname. countable, uncountable
- 2 A township in Lake County, Michigan, United States. countable, uncountable
- 3 An unincorporated community in Stonewall County, Texas, United States. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The peacock has a truly gorgeous tail."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "peacock"?
Common synonyms include: antigorite, attitudinize, avifauna, baby bird, billy, billy goat.
How do you use "peacock" in a sentence?
The peacock has a truly gorgeous tail.
How do you pronounce "peacock"?
Pronounced /ˈpikɑk/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English pecok, pekok, pocok, pacok, equivalent to pea (“peafowl; peacock”) + cock. Compare Old Norse páfugl (“peacock”, literally “pea-fowl”), and English peahen, peachick, etc.
Etymology 2
From peacock, a nickname for a vain and conceited person.