bird

bird · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate animal with feathers, wings, and a beak.

  2. 2.

    [British, informal]A young woman or girlfriend.

  3. 3.

    [slang]A person, especially one who is unusual.

Forms

plural: birds

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    a bird in the hand — Something certain is better than something uncertain.
  • •
    the early bird catches the worm — Those who act promptly have an advantage.
  • •
    kill two birds with one stone — Achieve two goals with one action.
  • •
    bird's-eye view — A view from above; an overview.
  • •
    free as a bird — Completely free.
  • •
    birds of a feather — People with similar characteristics.
  • •
    flip someone the bird — Make an obscene gesture.

Related words

See also: birdie, birds, fly, wing
Synonyms: avian, fowl

Etymology

From Old English brid ("young bird, chick"), later generalized to mean any bird. The Middle English form was bridde, which underwent metathesis to become bird.