birdie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, colloquial, sports jargon
Quick answer
What does “birdie” mean?
A small bird.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small bird; also, in golf, a score of one stroke under par on a hole.
A term of endearment for a small child or loved one; in badminton, the shuttlecock; in tennis, a score of zero (from 'love', represented by a bird's egg).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The golf term is universal. 'Birdie' as a term of endearment is slightly more common in British English. The tennis meaning (score of zero) is rare and archaic in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, the golf term is neutral sports jargon. As a term of endearment, it is warm and slightly old-fashioned.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to greater cultural prominence of golf.
Grammar
How to Use “birdie” in a Sentence
[Subject] birdied [the hole][Subject] scored a birdie on [the hole]A little birdie told me [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “birdie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She birdied the final hole to win the tournament.
- Can you believe he birdied three holes in a row?
American English
- He birdied the 18th to force a playoff.
- I've never birdied a par five before.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard usage as an adverb)
American English
- (Not standard usage as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- It was a birdie opportunity on the par three.
- He made a brilliant birdie putt from twenty feet.
American English
- She had a birdie chance to take the lead.
- That's a classic birdie hole for the pros.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in specific sports science contexts.
Everyday
Common in golf contexts and as informal, affectionate address.
Technical
Standard term in golf scoring.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “birdie”
- Using 'birdie' to mean any bird in formal writing.
- Confusing 'birdie' (one under par) with 'eagle' (two under par) or 'bogey' (one over par).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal or technical (in golf). It is not used in formal academic or business writing unless discussing golf.
Yes, in golf terminology. It means to complete a hole in one stroke under par (e.g., 'He birdied the 7th hole').
It originated in early 20th-century American slang, where 'bird' was slang for something excellent. A score better than 'par' was therefore a 'bird of a shot', later shortened to 'birdie'.
A birdie is one stroke under par on a hole. An eagle is two strokes under par, representing an even better score.
A small bird.
Birdie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɜː.di/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɝː.di/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A little bird told me (used to indicate the source of information is secret or not to be revealed)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small BIRD with a tiny letter 'I' (eye) - a 'bird-I' - looking at a golf ball going into the hole one stroke early.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS FLIGHT (a good golf score is likened to a bird, something light and superior).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'birdie' a technical, specific term?