peacock

/ˈpiːkɒk/ (bre, ipa) · [pˈikˌɑk] /ˈpiːkɑːk/ (ame, ipa) · [pˈikˌɑk] /ˈpē-ˌkäk/ (ame, mw)

peacock — noun

  • peacocksingular
  • peacocksplural

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

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.

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

a peacock

peacocks (plural)

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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.

例句

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]

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • slob

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

文法句型

be a peacock

act like a peacock

用法筆記

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').

常見錯誤

❌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