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Definition of kingfisher

kingfisher

/ˈkɪŋˌfɪʃ.ər/
king · fish · er
Plural:kingfishers
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kingfisher Lexical Profile

kingfisher Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of numerous brightly colored birds of the family Alcedinidae, typically characterized by a large head, short tail, and long, pointed bill, found globally in varied habitats and often known for diving into water to catch small fish.

Example

"We watched in awe as a brilliantly colored kingfisher dove swiftly from an overhanging branch and emerged with a small silver fish in its beak."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for kingfisher

• Nearby Words

kingbird
kingdom
kingfish
kingfisher
kingfisher daisy
kingless
kinglet

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 15th century, originally as 'king's fisher', likely due to the bird's exceptional fishing abilities, striking plumage, and regal appearance.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kingfisher. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 1, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kingfisher
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