Definition

1. 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

1. small brownish European songbird
2. any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects