crow
B1neutral
Definition
Meaning
A large, intelligent, black bird with a loud, harsh call, belonging to the genus Corvus.
As a verb, it can mean to utter the characteristic cry of a rooster, or (figuratively) to express gleeful triumph, often boastfully. Also used as the name for various similar corvid birds or tools.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun refers primarily to the bird. The verb sense relating to a rooster is literal, while the boastful sense is figurative and often carries a negative connotation of smugness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily lexical. The collective noun for a group is more commonly 'a murder of crows' in both, but is slightly more established in UK usage. The verb for boasting is equally used.
Connotations
Identical. The bird is often associated with intelligence, foreboding, or death in folklore. The boastful verb is pejorative.
Frequency
Noun frequency is similar. The figurative verb ('to crow about a victory') may be slightly more frequent in AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
crow (v) about/over something (figurative)crow (v) (literal, of a rooster)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As the crow flies (in a straight line)”
- “Eat crow (to be forced to admit a humiliating error)”
- “Crow's feet (wrinkles at the outer corner of the eye)”
- “A murder of crows (collective noun)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Figurative verb may appear: 'The competing firm crowed about their market share gain.'
Academic
Rare in sciences outside ornithology. Appears in literature/folklore studies for symbolism.
Everyday
Common for the bird. Figurative verb is familiar.
Technical
Ornithology: specific to species of the genus Corvus. Also a type of tool (crowbar).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He couldn't help crowing over his successful exam results.
- The rooster crows at dawn.
American English
- The team crowed about their championship win for weeks.
- I heard a rooster crow this morning.
adverb
British English
- N/A. 'Crow' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A. 'Crow' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A. 'Crow' is not standardly used as an adjective.
American English
- N/A. 'Crow' is not standardly used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw a black crow in the garden.
- The crow is a noisy bird.
- The village is five miles away as the crow flies.
- He crowed with delight when he won the game.
- Despite her triumph, she avoided crowing over her rivals' misfortune.
- The old sailor had deep crow's feet from years of squinting at the sea.
- The CEO was forced to eat crow after the failed product launch severely damaged the company's reputation.
- In the poem, the solitary crow served as a portent of the coming decay.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A CROW boasts loudly, just like its CRY is loud. Remember: Crow = CRy + bOW (as in to bow triumphantly).
Conceptual Metaphor
TRIUMPH IS A LOUD BIRD CALL (e.g., 'crow over a victory'). INTELLIGENCE / OMEN IS A BLACK BIRD.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ворона' (vorona) which is technically a 'hooded crow'. The general English 'crow' can cover several corvid species.
- The verb 'to crow' is not the same as 'to crawl' (ползать).
- The idiom 'as the crow flies' is about direct distance, not about a bird's actual path.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He was crawing about his win.' Correct: 'He was crowing about his win.'
- Confusing 'crow' with 'raven' (ravens are larger, with wedge-shaped tails).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'to eat crow' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ravens are a larger species within the same corvid family. They have thicker beaks, wedge-shaped tails, and a different call. In English, they are distinct words.
The noun (the bird) is neutral. The verb for boasting ('to crow') is almost always negative, implying excessive pride or gloating over someone else's failure.
It likely comes from the nautical practice of carrying crows on ships. When released, they would fly directly towards land, indicating the shortest direction.
No, they are false friends. 'To crow' comes from Old English 'crāwan' (to crow). 'Crowd' comes from Old English 'crūdan' (to press, push).