Search Dictionary
Definition of curlew
curlew
/ˈkɝːluː/
cur · lew
Plural:curlews
curlew Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
curlew Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A large, migratory wading bird of the genus Numenius and family Scolopacidae, characterized by its long legs, brownish plumage, and a distinctive, long, downward-curving bill used to forage in coastal and wetland habitats.
Example
"As the tide receded, a solitary curlew used its long, curved bill to probe the exposed mudflats for small invertebrates."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for curlewWord Origin & Etymology
From Middle English curlew, borrowed from Old French courlieu, which is widely believed to be echoic, imitating the bird's distinctive, ringing call.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Curlew. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/curlew