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Definition of kea

kea

/ˈkiː.ə/
ke · a

Plural:keas
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kea Lexical Profile

kea Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, highly intelligent parrot (Nestor notabilis) native to the alpine and forested regions of New Zealand's South Island, noted for its olive-green plumage, bright orange underwings, and exceptionally inquisitive, sometimes destructive behavior.

Example

"The tourists watched in astonishment as a curious kea systematically dismantled the rubber stripping from the windshield of their rental car."

Word Nuance & Usage

In New Zealand English, the plural form is frequently uninflected as 'kea' in accordance with Māori language conventions, though 'keas' remains common in standard international English.

• Rhymes for kea

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Māori 'kea', which is generally believed to be of onomatopoeic origin, imitating the bird's distinctive, loud in-flight call of 'kee-aa'.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kea. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kea
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