bird of paradise
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A brilliantly colored plumed bird: Any of numerous species of birds native to the New Guinea area, known for their elaborate and vibrant plumage, often exhibited by males in courtship displays.
- An ornamental flowering plant: A tropical plant (Strelitzia reginae) native to South Africa, having a distinctive flower that resembles the head of a colorful bird.
- A tropical flowering shrub: A shrub (genus Caesalpinia, formerly Poinciana) with bright orange or red flowers, found in tropical regions.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Bird):
- The male bird of paradise performed an intricate dance to attract a mate.
- We hope to see a bird of paradise in the wild during our trip to Papua New Guinea.
- Noun (Plant - Strelitzia):
- She cut a beautiful bird of paradise from her garden for the vase.
- The bird of paradise is a popular ornamental plant in warm climates.
- Noun (Shrub - Caesalpinia):
- The red bird of paradise shrub is drought-tolerant and blooms all summer.
Advanced Usage
- "Like a bird of paradise": Used to describe something or someone as exceptionally colorful, exotic, or flamboyant.
- She arrived at the gala in a dress like a bird of paradise, turning every head in the room.
Variants and Related Words
- Bird-of-paradise flower: Another common name for the plant.
- Raggiana bird-of-paradise: A specific, well-known species () of the bird family.
- Lesser bird-of-paradise: Another specific species ().
Synonyms
- For the bird: Paradisaeid (scientific family term).
- For the plant (Strelitzia): Crane flower.
- For the shrub (Caesalpinia): Pride of Barbados, dwarf poinciana, red bird of paradise.
Related Phrases
- "A paradise for birds": This is a descriptive phrase, not an idiom with the target word. It means an ideal or perfect place for birds.
- The wetland sanctuary is a paradise for birds.
Related Idioms
There are no common idioms that incorporate the exact phrase "bird of paradise."
Noun
- any of numerous brilliantly colored plumed birds of the New Guinea area
- ornamental plant of tropical South Africa and South America having stalks of orange and purplish-blue flowers resembling a bird
- a tropical flowering shrub having bright orange or red flowers; sometimes placed in genus Poinciana