kiwi
kiwi Lexical Profile
kiwi Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An edible fruit with a thin, hairy, brown skin and sweet green or golden flesh containing small black seeds; short for kiwifruit.
"She peeled a kiwi and sliced it to add vibrant color to the tropical fruit salad."
A flightless, nocturnal bird native to New Zealand, belonging to the genus Apteryx, characterized by a long, slender beak, stout legs, and no visible tail.
"During our night tour in the wildlife sanctuary, we were lucky enough to spot a wild kiwi foraging in the underbrush."
An informal term for a person from New Zealand (usually capitalized).
"The pub was packed with Aussies and Kiwis enthusiastically watching the rugby match."
Word Nuance & Usage
Internationally, 'kiwi' frequently refers to the fruit, but in New Zealand it strictly refers to the native bird, with the fruit always called 'kiwifruit'. When referring to a person from New Zealand, 'Kiwi' is capitalized.
• Rhymes for kiwi
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Māori 'kiwi', which is of imitative origin, mimicking the high-pitched, shrill call of the male bird.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.