sparrow
/'spærou/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A small, typically brown and gray songbird, common in many parts of the world, often found near human habitation.
- More broadly, any of various small, seed-eating birds with conical bills, belonging to the family Passeridae (Old World sparrows) or the family Passerellidae (New World sparrows, also called American sparrows).
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- A sparrow built its nest under our roof eaves.
- We put out seeds to attract sparrows to the garden.
- The sparrow is a familiar sight in cities and towns.
Advanced Usage
- "As common as a sparrow": Used to describe something very ordinary or widespread.
- That model of car is as common as a sparrow around here.
- "Sparrow-like" (adj): Resembling or characteristic of a sparrow, often in size or plain appearance.
- The bird had a sparrow-like shape but much brighter plumage.
Variants and Related Words
- House sparrow (n): A specific, very common species () often associated with human settlements.
- The house sparrow population has declined in some urban areas.
- Song sparrow (n): A common North American sparrow () known for its musical song.
- The song sparrow has a distinctive melody.
Synonyms
- Passerine (n): A technical term for perching birds, a large order that includes sparrows.
- Songbird (n): A bird known for its vocalizations; many sparrows are songbirds.
Related Phrases
- "To work for sparrow's milk": An idiom meaning to work for something that does not exist or is impossible to get.
- Trying to get a straight answer from him is like working for sparrow's milk.
- "Cockney sparrow": A colloquial and sometimes affectionate term for a Londoner, especially one from the East End, implying resilience.
- The old Cockney sparrow had stories about the Blitz.
Noun
- small brownish European songbird
- any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects