albatross

/'ælbətrɔs/

Thân thiện

A lone albatross soars over the vast ocean waves.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large seabird: A very large, web-footed bird found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, known for its exceptionally long, narrow wings and its ability to glide effortlessly over the ocean for long distances.
   • A burden or handicap: (Figurative) A persistent problem, source of guilt, or encumbrance that weighs someone down and hinders their progress or success.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Literal - the bird):
  • The albatross circled the ship, its wings barely moving.
  • Scientists are tracking the migration patterns of the albatross.
• Noun (Figurative - a burden):
  • The failed business venture became an albatross around his neck.
  • Her past mistakes were an albatross she could not escape.

Advanced Usage

• "An albatross around one's neck": A very common idiom meaning a burdensome, ongoing problem or reminder of failure that one cannot get rid of.
  • The enormous debt from his student loans was an albatross around his neck for decades.

Variants and Related Words

• Albatrosses (n): The standard plural form of the noun.
  • The island is a sanctuary for thousands of albatrosses.

Synonyms

• For the bird: Sea bird, pelagic bird.
• For the burden: Millstone, burden, handicap, encumbrance, liability, cross to bear.

Related Idioms

• "An albatross around one's neck": As detailed above, this is the primary and most significant idiom associated with the word.
  • The political scandal proved to be an albatross around the candidate's neck during the election.

Học thuật

Noun

1. large web-footed birds of the southern hemisphere having long narrow wings; noted for powerful gliding flight
2. (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps
   • she was an albatross around his neck

Từ đồng nghĩa

• mollymawk
• millstone