What does peafowl mean?
A peafowl is a large ground bird belonging to the pheasant family and is best known for the male's brilliant blue-green neck and elongated decorative train. The term may refer to the Indian peafowl, the green peafowl, or the group more generally. It can also be used collectively for both sexes, while “peacock” normally means the male and “peahen” the female. During courtship, a male raises and spreads its train, presenting the vivid pattern to potential mates. Peafowl are native to parts of South Asia, although introduced populations now occur in many other regions. Their calls and dramatic displays have made them familiar in gardens, parks, zoos, and wildlife settings. The word is useful because it provides a general term where the sex of the bird is either unknown or unimportant.
nounAny of several large, long-tailed birds in the pheasant family, especially the Indian peafowl and the green peafowl. The word can refer collectively to both sexes, although a male is specifically called a peacock and a female a peahen.
- Any bird belonging to the peafowl group, especially the Indian peafowl or green peafowl.
"A green peafowl displayed its iridescent plumage beneath the forest trees."
"The peafowl wandered across the lawn, its metallic-blue neck catching the sunlight."
"Wild peacocks have been observed displaying themselves in the shaded forest."
Usually unchanged in the plural, especially when the birds are considered collectively; “peafowls” is also possible when individual birds need to be counted.
"A group of peafowl grazed beside the road."
The spectacular train of a male peafowl is not its true tail but a mass of elongated upper-tail covert feathers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does peafowl come from?
The word developed in Middle English through elements meaning “peacock” and “fowl,” ultimately drawing on Old English compounds referring to the peafowl. The modern form combines “pea,” associated with the Old English word for peacock, with “fowl,” the older word for a bird. The scientific genus name Pavo comes from Latin pāvo, “peacock,” and reflects the bird's ancient association with decorative plumage.
How peafowl is actually used
The term is standard in both British and American English. It may refer to the group of birds collectively or to a bird of either sex; peacock and peahen are the usual sex-specific terms.
Easily confused with peafowl
Peafowl can refer collectively to the species, including males and females, whereas peacock specifically denotes the brightly coloured male.