Rufous

//ˈɹuːfəs// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Ellipsis of rufous hummingbird. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis

    "Partners in Flight — a conservation group that tracks several species of birds, including hummingbirds — estimates that the rufous population is currently 62% smaller than it was in 1966. […] Rufouses are adapting, however, and becoming more willing to use urban feeders and gardens."

  2. 2
    A reddish-brown colour, as of rust. uncountable
Adjective
  1. 1
    of a reddish colour not-comparable

Synonyms

All synonyms
auburnbaybayardbrassybrazenbronze

Example

More examples

"Partners in Flight — a conservation group that tracks several species of birds, including hummingbirds — estimates that the rufous population is currently 62% smaller than it was in 1966. […] Rufouses are adapting, however, and becoming more willing to use urban feeders and gardens."

Etymology

From Latin rūfus (“red”).

Related phrases

rufous bush chatrufous bush robinrufous grasswrenrufous owlrufous scrub robinrufous warblerrufous-backed antvireorufous-backed fantailrufous-bellied kookaburrarufous-bellied titrufous-breasted sparrowhawkrufous-capped antshrike

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.