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Definition of phalarope

phalarope

/ˈfæləˌroʊp/
phal · a · rope
Plural:phalaropes
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phalarope Lexical Profile

phalarope Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of three species of small, slender shorebirds in the genus Phalaropus, native to tundra and aquatic environments of the Northern Hemisphere, known for their lobed toes, unique spinning behavior while foraging in water, and reversed sex roles.

Example

"Through their binoculars, the ornithologists observed a female red-necked phalarope spinning rapidly in the shallow pond to stir up aquatic insects."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for phalarope

• Nearby Words

phacelia
phainopepla
phalaenopsis
phalarope
phalocallis
phalsa
pheasant

Word Origin & Etymology

From French 'phalarope', via Modern Latin 'Phalaropus', derived from Ancient Greek 'phalaris' (coot) and 'pous' (foot), referring to the bird's lobed toes which resemble those of a coot.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Phalarope. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/phalarope
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