blackbird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, common in everyday language, nature writing, and literature.
Quick answer
What does “blackbird” mean?
A common, medium-sized thrush (Turdus merula) with the male having black plumage and an orange-yellow bill and eye-ring.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common, medium-sized thrush (Turdus merula) with the male having black plumage and an orange-yellow bill and eye-ring.
Any of various birds, predominantly dark in colour, such as species in the family Icteridae (American blackbirds). Also used in poetry and metaphor to signify darkness, melancholy, or the arrival of something ominous.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'blackbird' almost exclusively refers to the common Eurasian thrush. In North America, 'blackbird' is a broader term for several dark-coloured birds in the Icteridae family (e.g., Red-winged Blackbird).
Connotations
In British culture, it carries associations with dawn song and suburban gardens. In American usage, it can have agricultural connotations (as some species are considered pests).
Frequency
High frequency in UK English due to the bird's ubiquity. Moderate frequency in US English, often specified with a modifier (e.g., 'red-winged blackbird').
Grammar
How to Use “blackbird” in a Sentence
The blackbird sang.We saw a blackbird.It's a blackbird's nest.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blackbird” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To go blackbirding (historical, rare).
American English
- He was blackbirding in the orchard, trying to spot a Brewer's blackbird.
adjective
British English
- The blackbird population seems stable this year.
American English
- We set up a blackbird feeder for the grackles and starlings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in brand names or poetic marketing.
Academic
Used in ornithology and zoology texts.
Everyday
Common in descriptions of gardens, parks, and dawn choruses.
Technical
Specific to biological taxonomy and field guides.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blackbird”
- Using 'blackbird' for any black bird (e.g., crow, raven).
- Assuming US and UK referents are the same.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In standard usage, a blackbird (Eurasian) is a type of thrush, smaller than a crow and with different behaviour and song.
Yes, though the female Eurasian blackbird is brown, not black. The term still applies.
Paul McCartney has said it was inspired by the civil rights movement in the US, using the blackbird as a symbol of someone struggling to be free.
Use the term 'Eurasian blackbird' or its scientific name for clarity.
A common, medium-sized thrush (Turdus merula) with the male having black plumage and an orange-yellow bill and eye-ring.
Blackbird is usually neutral, common in everyday language, nature writing, and literature. in register.
Blackbird: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblakbəːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblækˌbɝːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blackbirding (historical: forced labour recruitment)”
- “as cheerful as a blackbird's song”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the Beatles' song 'Blackbird' – a classic reference point for the word.
Conceptual Metaphor
A blackbird is often a metaphor for a solitary singer, a herald of dawn, or a symbol of the commonplace made beautiful.
Practice
Quiz
In American English, 'blackbird' most accurately refers to: