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bird
/bɜːrd/
a feathered, winged animal that typically can fly
We saw a beautiful bird perched on the tree branch.
A bird was sitting on a tree branch, and it looked very pretty.
general
a warm-blooded vertebrate animal with feathers, wings, and a beak, most of which can fly
The bird built a nest in the garden.
A bird made a nest in the garden.
Birds are a diverse group of animals that include species ranging from tiny hummingbirds to large ostriches.
informalslang
a person, especially a young woman, in informal or slang contexts
She's a cool bird and always knows what's happening.
She is a trendy and well-informed person.
This usage is less common and often considered outdated or regional.
Collocations
bird of preya bird that hunts other animals for foodbirdwatchingthe activity of observing and identifying birdsfree as a birdcompletely free and unrestricted
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
The word 'bird' is most commonly used to refer to feathered animals, but be aware of its informal usage to describe people.
Gold Rule
Capitalization
The word 'bird' is not capitalized unless it is part of a proper noun, such as 'Bird Island'.
Word Origin
Old English 'brid', from Proto-Germanic 'brēdą', related to 'bear' (as in 'to bear young').
Usage Notes
The word 'bird' is commonly used to refer to any feathered, winged animal, but it can also be used informally to refer to a person, particularly a young woman.
Word Breakdown
bird
a feathered, winged animal
rootEnglish Dictionary