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Definition of potoo

potoo

/poʊˈtuː/
po · too
Plural:potoos
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potoo Lexical Profile

potoo Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of several nocturnal, insectivorous birds of the family Nyctibiidae, native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, renowned for their exceptional camouflage resembling a broken tree branch.

Example

"During the day, the potoo remains perfectly still on a stump, relying on its mottled plumage to hide from predators."

• Rhymes for potoo

• Nearby Words

poterium
pothos
potomac river
potoo
potoroo
potsticker
pouakai

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into English in the 18th century from an indigenous South American language (likely Tupi 'putu'), imitative of the bird's haunting, mournful call.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Potoo. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/potoo
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