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Definition of kea
kea
/ˈkiː.ə/
ke · a
Plural:keas
kea Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
kea Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• 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