turkey

IPA/ˈtɜː.ki/
KK[tˈɚki]IPA/ˈtɝː.ki/

turkey — noun

  • turkeysingular
  • turkeysplural

1. a big bird with a bare head that people raise on farms mainly to eat

1.名詞B1
釋義

a big bird with a bare head that people raise on farms mainly to eat

例句

Christopher pointed at the wild turkey crossing the field behind the barn.

collocation: wild turkey

At the farm, Gabriela fed the young turkeys before school.

farm context: feed young turkeys

同義詞
  • poultry

    broader term for farm birds raised for meat or eggs, not only turkeys

  • gobbler

    more specific and usually refers to a male turkey

文法句型

countable noun

用法筆記

Usually countable when you mean the live bird. Distinguish this sense from sense 2, which refers to the meat people eat rather than the animal itself.

常見錯誤

❌We saw some turkey walking near the fence.
✅We saw some turkeys walking near the fence.
💡The live bird is countable, so use a plural form when you mean several animals.

2. the edible meat taken from this bird and served in meals, soups, or sandwiches

2.名詞B1
釋義

the edible meat taken from this bird and served in meals, soups, or sandwiches

例句

Put the sliced turkey on whole-grain bread with mustard and lettuce.

collocation: sliced turkey

For lunch, Putri reheated leftover turkey and mashed potatoes.

meal context: leftover turkey

同義詞
  • poultry

    broader category term that can also include chicken, duck, and goose

  • white meat

    focuses on a leaner part of poultry and is not always the whole turkey dish

文法句型

uncountable noun

用法筆記

Usually uncountable when you mean the meat in a meal. Use slices of turkey or pieces of turkey rather than a turkey unless you mean the whole cooked bird.

常見錯誤

❌Can you pass me a turkey with my salad?
✅Can you pass me some turkey with my salad?
💡In meal contexts, turkey usually means the meat and is normally uncountable.

3. a plan, show, product, or event that turns out much worse than hoped and is seen

3.名詞C1
釋義

a plan, show, product, or event that turns out much worse than hoped and is seen as a complete failure

例句

Critics called the new comedy show a turkey after opening night.

pattern: call something a turkey

The expensive app became a turkey within a week of launch.

pattern: become a turkey

同義詞
  • flop

    very close in meaning and common for films, events, and products

  • dud

    often used for a product, plan, or performance that disappoints

  • disaster

    stronger and can focus on the bad results rather than public judgment

反義詞
  • hit

    a thing that becomes successful and popular

  • success

    general term for something that works well or is well received

文法句型

countable noun

用法筆記

Mainly informal and often used about films, shows, products, or plans that disappoint badly. It is stronger than ordinary failure because it suggests the whole thing is seen as a flop.

常見錯誤

❌The launch was turkey.
✅The launch was a turkey.
💡In this sense, turkey is a countable noun, so it needs an article when used in the singular.

4. a foolish person who does annoying things or shows poor judgment

4.名詞C1
釋義

a foolish person who does annoying things or shows poor judgment

例句

Don't be a turkey and leave your passport on the train.

pattern: don't be a turkey

I felt like a turkey after locking the keys inside the car.

pattern: feel like a turkey

同義詞
  • fool

    neutral informal word for someone who acts without sense

  • idiot

    stronger and ruder than turkey

  • clown

    can suggest someone is silly, showy, or embarrassing

反義詞

文法句型

countable noun

用法筆記

Mainly informal and often said after someone has done one foolish thing, sometimes jokingly. Distinguish it from stronger insults like idiot, which sound harsher and more personal.

常見錯誤

❌My brother is a turkey teacher.
✅My brother is a foolish teacher.
💡In this sense, turkey names a person directly and is not normally used before another noun.