Definition

1. Noun:

   • The harsh, grating cry of a crow, rook, or raven: "caw" refers specifically to the loud, hoarse sound made by birds of the corvid family.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To utter the characteristic cry of a crow, rook, or raven: "caw" describes the action of making this specific sound.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The loud caw of a raven echoed through the forest.
  • We could hear the distant caws of a flock of crows.

• Verb:

  • The crow cawed loudly from the top of the tree.
  • Ravens were cawing in the old castle's towers.

Advanced Usage

• Onomatopoeia: The word "caw" is an onomatopoeia, meaning it phonetically imitates the sound it describes. This makes it highly effective in descriptive writing.
  • The text described the scene: "Silence, then a single, lonely caw."

Variants and Related Words

• Cawing (n/adj): The act or sound of cawing; producing a caw.
  • The constant cawing was annoying. (n)
  • We heard cawing birds. (adj)

Synonyms

• Croak: A deep, hoarse sound, sometimes used for ravens or frogs.
• Squawk: A loud, harsh cry, often used for parrots or other birds.

Antonyms

• Chirp: A short, high-pitched sound made by small birds like sparrows.
• Warble: A melodious, fluctuating song made by birds like thrushes.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Not a word for idioms: The word "caw" is not typically used in common English idioms. It is primarily a descriptive term for a specific sound.

Noun

1. the sound made by corvine birds

Verb

1. utter a cry, characteristic of crows, rooks, or ravens