Langimage
English

kiwi

|ki-wi|

B1

/ˈkiːwi/

New Zealand bird/fruit

Etymology
Etymology Information

'kiwi' originates from Maori, specifically the word 'kiwi', referring to the bird native to New Zealand.

Historical Evolution

'kiwi' was adopted into English from the Maori language, maintaining its original form and meaning.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred only to the bird, but over time it also came to denote the fruit and people from New Zealand.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a flightless bird native to New Zealand, known for its long beak and nocturnal habits.

The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a small, brown, fuzzy fruit with green flesh and tiny black seeds, also known as Chinese gooseberry.

I love adding kiwi to my fruit salad.

Synonyms

Noun 3

a colloquial term for a person from New Zealand.

Kiwis are known for their friendly nature.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/03/05 08:39