bird-of-par·a·dise
ˈbərd-əv-ˈper-ə-ˌdīs 
-ˌdīz,
- ˈpa-rə-
: an ornamental plant (Strelitzia reginae of the family Strelitziaceae) native to southern Africa that has scapes terminating in a horizontal bract from which emerges an upright flower having three orange or yellow sepals and three irregular blue petals
: any of numerous brilliantly colored plumed oscine birds (family Paradisaeidae) chiefly of New Guinea and neighboring islands
Examples of bird-of-paradise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 20 Apr. 2023
This equatorial region stretches from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn, and it's overgrown with orchids, bougainvillea, and birds-of-paradise — not to mention the sugarcane that keeps resort bars stocked in rum.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2023
Guy Martin, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
During the opening night party, crowds of people gathered around a lush portrait Tulloch painted of his friend and fellow artist Rose posing with a bird of paradise flower.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 19 July 2024
With the sister’s help, Smith selected a bird of paradise photograph to expand and print onto a selection of billowy, silken pieces.
—Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024
Sofía Vergara, as beautifully exotic as a bird of paradise, was an invaluable — and very funny — member of ABC’s Modern Family ensemble for 11 seasons.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024
The Insecure actor arrived at the event looking like a literal bird of paradise in a feathered and crystal-embellished champagne Pamela Roland gown.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 16 Jan. 2024
Looking surprised by her own impulsivity, the wingless bird of paradise giggle-fusses over our felled friend until a bouncer muscles in to disentangle them.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 8 Nov. 2023
Noun
Instead, try Taylor’s suggestions: large-scale, easy-to-maintain plants like birds-of-paradise and bamboo palms.
—Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 20 Apr. 2023
This equatorial region stretches from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn, and it's overgrown with orchids, bougainvillea, and birds-of-paradise — not to mention the sugarcane that keeps resort bars stocked in rum.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2023
Noun phrase
As a fashionable bird of paradise, Cardi B would naturally be found at a Rabanne event.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
During the opening night party, crowds of people gathered around a lush portrait Tulloch painted of his friend and fellow artist Rose posing with a bird of paradise flower.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 19 July 2024
With the sister’s help, Smith selected a bird of paradise photograph to expand and print onto a selection of billowy, silken pieces.
—Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024
Sofía Vergara, as beautifully exotic as a bird of paradise, was an invaluable — and very funny — member of ABC’s Modern Family ensemble for 11 seasons.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024
The Insecure actor arrived at the event looking like a literal bird of paradise in a feathered and crystal-embellished champagne Pamela Roland gown.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 16 Jan. 2024
Looking surprised by her own impulsivity, the wingless bird of paradise giggle-fusses over our felled friend until a bouncer muscles in to disentangle them.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 8 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bird-of-paradise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Bird-of-paradise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird-of-paradise. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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