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noun

emu

EEM-yoo
noun
1
A large flightless Australian bird, second only to the ostrich in height, with shaggy grey-brown feathers.
"A herd of wild emus crossed the outback road."
"The emu can run at surprising speed despite its bulk."

How to Use Emu

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAustralia's big flightless bird, like a smaller, shaggier cousin of the ostrich.

Common pairings
wild emu emu feathers emu farm

Word Forms

emus plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

A herd of wild _____ crossed the outback road.

Etymology

Likely from Portuguese ema, originally used for the cassowary and later applied to the emu and ostrich too.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial