bird of passage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Literary, formal, sometimes journalistic
Quick answer
What does “bird of passage” mean?
A person who moves from place to place frequently, without settling down permanently.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who moves from place to place frequently, without settling down permanently.
A migratory bird; figuratively, someone who stays in a place only briefly, often for work, study, or personal reasons, before moving on.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, though slightly more common in British literary contexts. The metaphorical sense is primary in modern use.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can suggest a cosmopolitan, unattached lifestyle. In American English, it might more readily evoke historical imagery of pioneers or itinerant workers.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech; encountered primarily in literature, descriptive writing, and formal commentary on lifestyle or migration.
Grammar
How to Use “bird of passage” in a Sentence
[Person] is/was/lives like a bird of passage.He/She has always been a bird of passage.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bird of passage” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- After university, he became a true bird of passage, taking short-term contracts from Barcelona to Bangkok.
- The Arctic tern is the ultimate bird of passage, travelling from pole to pole.
American English
- Her career in diplomacy made her a bird of passage, with a new posting every three years.
- In his memoir, he wrote about his years as a bird of passage, working on oil rigs and freighters.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe consultants or executives on long-term international assignments.
Academic
Used in sociology or anthropology to discuss migration patterns or modern nomadic lifestyles.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Used descriptively about someone's lifestyle.
Technical
Ornithology: its literal meaning for migratory bird species.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bird of passage”
- Using it to describe a tourist on a two-week holiday (too short-term).
- Confusing it with 'social butterfly' (which is about sociability, not physical movement).
- Using it in a negative context to imply unreliability.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally neutral or slightly romantic. It describes a lifestyle choice without inherent judgment, though context can colour it as free-spirited or rootless.
No, the term is specific. For animals, use 'migratory species' or 'migrant'. The figurative sense applies only to humans.
They are close synonyms. 'Nomad' often implies a traditional, cultural, or chosen pattern of movement, while 'bird of passage' can feel more literary and may emphasise the temporary, transitional nature of each stay.
It is somewhat literary and not common in everyday speech, but it is still understood and used in descriptive writing. The concept is very modern (e.g., 'digital nomad').
A person who moves from place to place frequently, without settling down permanently.
Bird of passage is usually literary, formal, sometimes journalistic in register.
Bird of passage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɜːd əv ˈpæsɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɜːrd əv ˈpæsɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Here today, gone tomorrow.”
- “A rolling stone.”
- “Footloose and fancy-free.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a swallow (a migratory bird) with a tiny suitcase, constantly flying between countries, never building a permanent nest.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN LIFE IS A JOURNEY / A PERSON IS A MIGRATORY BIRD
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best describes a 'bird of passage'?