flightless

[ flahyt-lis ]

adjective

1. incapable of flying:

   flightless birds such as the moa, rhea, and dodo.

flightless

/ ˈflaɪtlɪs /

adjective

1. (of certain birds and insects) unable to fly See also ratite

Word History and Origins

Origin of flightless¹

First recorded in 1870–75; flight ¹ + -less

Example Sentences

Take for example the puzzle of the flightless birds.

From Salon

An iconic large flightless bird, the weka is famous for its feisty and curious personality.

From BBC

Here, Ms. Hines — dressed for a pickleball match — did an impression of pitching a producer while batting away a large, flightless bird.

From New York Times

Before the discovery of the new skull, researchers thought G. newtoni was related to a group of large, extinct, flightless birds called gastornithids that used to roam Europe, Asia, and North America.

From Science Magazine

The flightless species comes in three camouflaging varieties, or morphs, that are inherited from one generation to the next.

From Science Magazine