peacock

IPA/ˈpiːkɒk/
KK[pˈikˌɑk]IPA/ˈpiːkɑːk/

peacock — noun

  • peacocksingular
  • peacocksplural

1. a large bird from southern Asia. The male has long colourful feathers at the bac

1.nounB1
Definition

a large bird from southern Asia. The male has long colourful feathers at the back that it can raise upright and open wide like a fan; these feathers are covered with shiny round markings that look like small eyes.

Example

Niran's children clapped with joy when the peacock at the zoo spread its colourful tail.

collocation: spread its tail

A peacock feather fell onto the path, and Meera picked it up to take home as a souvenir.

collocation: peacock feather

Common collocations
  • peacock feather
  • spread its tail
  • display its feathers
  • peacock's call
  • male peacock
  • wild peacock
Synonyms
  • peafowl

    the scientific name for the species as a whole, including both males and females

  • peahen

    the female bird; much less colourful than the peacock

Grammar Patterns

a peacock

peacocks (plural)

Usage Note

The female bird is called a peahen; the species as a whole is called peafowl. Learners often say 'peacock' for the female too, but strictly the word applies only to the male.

Common Mistakes

A peahen spread its beautiful tail.
A peacock spread its beautiful tail.
Only the male peacock has the long, colourful tail feathers; the peahen is smaller and mostly brown.

2. a man who cares too much about his looks and spends a lot of time and money on f

2.nounB2
Definition

a man who cares too much about his looks and spends a lot of time and money on fashionable clothes, grooming, and making sure others notice his appearance.

Example

Mauricio is such a peacock — he checks his reflection in every shop window he passes.

collocation: such a peacock

The man under the streetlight was a peacock in a bright silk suit and polished leather shoes.

metaphor: peacock in [clothing]

Common collocations
  • be a peacock
  • act like a peacock
  • peacock in a suit
  • strutting peacock
  • peacock of fashion
Synonyms
  • dandy

    a man who places great importance on fashionable appearance; slightly old-fashioned

  • show-off

    broader — someone who boasts about any skill or possession, not just looks

  • poser

    informal, negative — someone who pretends to be more stylish or sophisticated than they really are

Antonyms
  • slob

    a person who is lazy and untidy about their appearance; very informal

Grammar Patterns

be a peacock

act like a peacock

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used about men, not women. It carries a mildly critical or teasing tone. Can be used as a direct noun ('He is a peacock') or in similes ('strutting like a peacock').

Common Mistakes

She is such a peacock in that dress.
He is such a peacock in that suit.
This sense refers almost exclusively to men; for women, 'peacock' would sound odd or old-fashioned.
The peacock spread his feathers at the zoo.' (when using sense 2)
The peacock spread his feathers at the zoo.
The animal sense is the default unless a person is clearly described.

peacock — verb

Word family

  • peahen
    nounC1
  • peafowl
    nounC1
  • peachick
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

While all four words describe people who draw attention to themselves, they differ in focus and tone. A 'dandy' cares about elegant, fashionable clothing and manners — it is somewhat old-fashioned and not always negative. A 'show-off' is broader: anyone who boasts about any skill, possession, or achievement, not just looks. 'Poser' (informal) is more critical, suggesting someone who pretends to be stylish or cultured without real substance. 'Narcissist' is a clinical term for someone with a personality disorder involving extreme self-obsession — much stronger than 'peacock'. If a man wears a designer suit just to be admired, call him a 'peacock' or 'dandy'; if he constantly brags about his salary and car too, he is a 'show-off'.

dandy ↗show-offposernarcissist ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word comes from Middle English 'pecok', which combined the Old English 'pāwe' (from Latin 'pavo', meaning peacock, influenced by Greek 'taos') and 'cok' (meaning male bird, from 'cock'). The connection to showy behaviour emerged because the male peacock's dramatic feather display became a natural symbol of vanity and pride. The verb use developed later, around the 19th century.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb