peacock

1 of 2

noun

pea·​cock ˈpē-ˌkäk How to pronounce peacock (audio)
1
: a male peafowl distinguished by a crest of upright feathers and by greatly elongated loosely webbed upper tail coverts which are mostly tipped with iridescent spots and are erected and spread in a shimmering fan usually as a courtship display
broadly : peafowl
2
: one making a proud display of oneself : show-off
peacockish
ˈpē-ˌkä-kish How to pronounce peacock (audio)
adjective
peacocky
ˈpē-ˌkä-kē How to pronounce peacock (audio)
adjective

peacock

2 of 2

verb

peacocked; peacocking; peacocks

intransitive verb

: show off

Examples of peacock 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.
Noun
Another has its own dressing area, with the primary offering an office nook, walk-in closet, and maximalist bath embellished with stars, peacock feathers, and bold graphic prints. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026 The peacock made headlines two months ago when a resident found the injured bird in the 3700 block of Mohawk Street. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
Some of the kinder ones would give a Christmas tip if the apprentices did a good job cleaning their boots but others, basking in the new money of the Premier League, preferred to peacock. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 The show’s beating heart is Cumming, who peacocks across the Scottish Highlands in ostentatious costumes while delivering one game show twist after the next. — Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peacock

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pecok, from pe- (from Old English pēa peafowl, from Latin pavon-, pavo peacock) + cok cock

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined above

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

Phrases Containing peacock

Rhymes for peacock

See All Rhymes for peacock

Browse Nearby Words

peacoat
peacock
Peacock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

peacock

noun
pea·​cock
ˈpē-ˌkäk
: the male of a very large Asian pheasant having a very long brightly colored tail that can be spread or raised, a small crest of upright feathers on the top of the head, and in most forms brilliant blue or green feathers on the neck and shoulders

Biographical Definition

Peacock

biographical name

Pea·​cock ˈpē-ˌkäk How to pronounce Peacock (audio)
Thomas Love 1785–1866 English novelist and poet

More from Merriam-Webster on peacock

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peacock

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