teal

noun

ˈtēl How to pronounce teal (audio)
plural teal or teals
1
: teal blue
2
: any of various widely distributed small short-necked dabblers (genus Anas) compare blue-winged teal, green-winged teal

Illustration of teal

Illustration of teal
  • teal 2

Examples of teal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Molina’s floors were tiled white, and the walls were painted teal. — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Just a few small steps from the off-road parking lot led to a tiny teal door—the color a reflection of the island's immaculate waters. — Callie Thorpe, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 Currently, the Enigme silhouette retails for $980 and also comes in an alternative teal hue. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026 And this week, our story about the dwindling water levels in Lake Powell, the country’s second-largest reservoir, shows breathtaking expanses of dry canyon plunging to a shrinking, narrow ribbon of teal green. — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for teal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tele; akin to Middle Dutch teling teal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of teal was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing teal

Rhymes for teal

See All Rhymes for teal

Browse Nearby Words

teakwood
teal
teal blue
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teal. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

teal

noun
ˈtē(ə)l How to pronounce teal (audio)
plural teal or teals
: any of various small short-necked ducks

More from Merriam-Webster on teal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about teal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All