noun
teal
teel
noun
1
A small, brightly coloured freshwater duck.
"A pair of teal paddled quietly along the reeds."
2
A dark blue-green colour, named after markings on the duck.
"She repainted the bathroom in a calming teal."
adj
1
Having this blue-green colour.
"He wore a teal tie to match the invitation."
How to Use Teal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the small duck, or the blue-green colour named after its markings.
Common pairings
teal blue
a teal duck
paint it teal
Word Forms
more teal comparative, teals plural, Teals plural, most teal superlative
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Etymology
Originally the name of the small duck, from Middle English tele; the colour sense — describing the blue-green patch on the bird's head and wings — only appeared in the 1920s.