ALBATROSS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does albatross mean? 

• ALBATROSS (noun)
  The noun ALBATROSS has 2 senses:

1. (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps

2. large web-footed birds of the southern hemisphere having long narrow wings; noted for powerful gliding flight

  Familiarity information: ALBATROSS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ALBATROSS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(figurative) something that hinders or handicaps

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

albatross; millstone

Context example:

she was an albatross around his neck

Hypernyms ("albatross" is a kind of...):

balk; baulk; check; deterrent; handicap; hinderance; hindrance; impediment (something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Large web-footed birds of the southern hemisphere having long narrow wings; noted for powerful gliding flight

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

albatross; mollymawk

Hypernyms ("albatross" is a kind of...):

oceanic bird; pelagic bird (bird of the open seas)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "albatross"):

Diomedea exulans; wandering albatross (very large albatross; white with wide black wings)

black-footed albatross; Diomedea nigripes; gooney; gooney bird; goonie; goony (a variety of albatross with black feet)

Holonyms ("albatross" is a member of...):

Diomedeidae; family Diomedeidae (albatrosses)

 Context examples 

I am going to unexplored regions, to the land of mist and snow, but I shall kill no albatross; therefore do not be alarmed for my safety or if I should come back to you as worn and woeful as the Ancient Mariner.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)