Jay
/dʤei/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A crested, largely blue bird: A jay is a noisy, often brightly colored bird of the crow family, typically with a crest on its head. The most common type in Europe is the Eurasian jay, which has pinkish-brown plumage with blue and black wing patches.
- A person who chatters impertinently: (Informal, dated) A person, especially a man, who talks in a foolish, impertinent, or showy way.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Bird):
- A jay was squawking loudly in the oak tree.
- We spotted the bright blue flash of a jay's wing in the forest.
- Noun (Person):
- Don't listen to him; he's just an old jay. (This usage is now rare.)
Advanced Usage
- As a modifier: The word can be used attributively to describe things related to the bird.
- We found a jay's feather on the path.
- The jay population has increased in this area.
Variants and Related Words
- Jaybird (n): Another common name for a jay, often used in informal contexts.
- He was naked as a jaybird. (This is a common simile in American English.)
- Blue jay (n): A specific, common North American species of jay with bright blue, white, and black plumage.
- The blue jay is known for its loud, jeering calls.
Synonyms
- Chatterer: (For the informal meaning of a person) One who talks incessantly or foolishly.
- Scold: (For the bird, referencing its noisy call) One who noisily finds fault.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Naked as a jaybird: Completely naked.
- The toddler ran out of the bathroom, naked as a jaybird.
- Drunk as a jaybird: (Slang) Very intoxicated.
- After the party, he was drunk as a jaybird.
Notes on Different Meanings
The primary and most common meaning refers to the bird. The informal meaning referring to a foolish or talkative person is largely archaic but may be encountered in older literature. The capitalized form "Jay" is also a common given name.
Noun
- crested largely blue bird
- United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)