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Definition of cassowary
cassowary
/ˈkæs.əˌwɛr.i/
cas · so · wa · ry
Plural:cassowaries
cassowary Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
cassowary Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A large, flightless bird of the genus Casuarius, native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and nearby islands, distinguished by its vibrant blue neck, bony head casque, and dangerous, dagger-like claws.
Example
"The researchers maintained a safe distance while observing the cassowary in the rainforest, well aware that a single defensive kick from its powerful legs could be fatal."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for cassowaryWord Origin & Etymology
Derived from Malay 'kasuari', which likely originated from a Papuan language, possibly combining 'kasu' (horned) and 'weri' (head), in reference to the bird's prominent casque.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cassowary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cassowary