Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rufous

/ˈɹuːfəs/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.39 in modern English

Syllables: ru-fous
IPA: /ˈɹuːfəs/

9

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

of a reddish colour

noun

Ellipsis of rufous hummingbird.

Countable

noun

A reddish-brown colour, as of rust.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Partners in Flight — a conservation group that tracks several species of birds, including hummingbirds — estimates that the rufous population is currently 62% smaller than it was in 1966. […] Rufouses are adapting, however, and becoming more willing to use urban feeders and gardens."

Etymology

From Latin rūfus (“red”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: *h₁rewdʰ-, rūfus

Usage

Inflected Forms

rufouses (plural)

Derived Forms

rufousness

Phrases

rufous-backed antvireo rufous-backed fantail rufous-bellied kookaburra rufous-bellied tit rufous-breasted sparrowhawk rufous bush chat rufous bush robin rufous-capped antshrike

Homonyms

Rufus

Rhymes With

rufus doofus

Questions

How do you pronounce rufous?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɹuːfəs/.
What does rufous mean?: of a reddish colour
Where does rufous come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce rufous

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “rufous”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɹuːfəs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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