nightingale

night-in-gale · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A small European thrush (Luscinia megarhynchos) known for its powerful and beautiful song, especially the male which sings at night during mating season.

  2. 2.

    A person with a beautiful singing voice.

Forms

plural: nightingales

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    sing like a nightingale — To have a beautiful singing voice.

Related words

See also: bird, song, warbler
Synonyms: songbird, warbler

Etymology

From Old English nihtegale, from niht ("night") + a Germanic base meaning "to sing." The bird is named for its habit of singing at night.