ostriches - Master This Word
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ostriches Word Meanings
- a large flightless bird native to Africa
- a person who ignores reality or avoids dealing with a problem (head in the sand)
ostriches Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
ostriches Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɒstrɪtʃ/
US
/ˈɑːstrɪtʃ/
ostriches Word Etymology
Root decomposition: the word is a single stem with no productive prefixes or suffixes. Historical origin: from Old French ostrice/ostriche, from Latin struthio via Greek strouthion. Memory image: picture a large African flightless bird striding across the savannah; the myth that it hides its head in the sand echoes the idea of avoiding reality.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
An ostrich is a large, flightless bird native to Africa. In everyday English, the word also appears in a figurative sense to describe a person who ignores reality or avoids dealing with a problem, as in 'he keeps his head in the sand.' The animal is famous for its long legs and speed, yet it cannot fly, which makes it a useful image for stubborn avoidance or denial. People who refuse to face bad news may be said to act like an ostrich, though obviously no one actually buries their head in the sand. The etymology traces to Old French ostrice/ostriche, from Latin struthio via Greek strouthion.
Usage Reminders
- Use ostrich for both the animal and the figurative sense.
- The idiom head in the sand is fixed; teach it as a set phrase.
- Don’t translate the metaphor literally into other languages.
- Note that ostriches cannot fly, a common source of confusion.
- Provide concrete examples to show both senses in context.
Common Misconceptions
- People think ostriches literally bury their heads in sand.
- Ostriches can fly.
- They only live in deserts.
- Ostriches are easy to domesticate and friendly.
- Ostrich eggs are incredibly tiny.
Thinking Differences
English uses a concrete animal image to convey a behavioral stereotype: avoidance or denial. Learners often assume a direct moral judgment and may overgeneralize to people who simply avoid minor tasks, or misinterpret it as cowardice in all contexts.
Learning Tips
- Memorize the core meanings: animal and metaphor.
- Pair with 'head in the sand' in examples.
- Compare with other idioms about avoidance.
- Note the flightless fact and avoid confusing with other birds.
- Use in formal writing with caution; prefer neutral tone.
- Practice by describing a news incident both literally and figuratively.
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