eagle
B2Formal, Informal (depending on context)
Definition
Meaning
A large bird of prey with a massive hooked bill, broad strong wings, and keen vision.
A figure or symbol representing this bird, often denoting power, freedom, or high rank (e.g., in heraldry, sports, or finance). In golf, a score of two strokes under par on a hole.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meaning is the bird, but metaphorical extensions are common in sports (golf), finance (eagle coin), and symbols (national emblem).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The bird species 'golden eagle' and 'bald eagle' are native to different regions, affecting cultural familiarity.
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with the bald eagle as a national symbol, patriotism, and freedom. In the UK, more associated with heraldry, royalty, and the golden eagle as a bird of the Scottish Highlands.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to its status as the national emblem and common use in sports (golf) and finance.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[the] eagle + verb (soars, screeches, hunts)[adj] eagle + noun (eye, nest)verb + [the] eagle (spot, watch, protect)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “eagle eye (keen observation)”
- “spread-eagle (with limbs outstretched)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in brand names or logos (e.g., American Eagle Outfitters).
Academic
In biology/zoology for the species; in political science/history as a national symbol.
Everyday
Referring to the bird, in golf, or using idioms like 'eagle eye'.
Technical
In ornithology for species classification (Aquila, Haliaeetus).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He managed to eagle the par-five 15th.
- She eagled the final hole to win the tournament.
American English
- He eagled the 8th hole.
- She's hoping to eagle this par five.
adjective
British English
- He has an eagle-eyed ability to spot errors.
- The eagle emblem was stamped on the coin.
American English
- She kept an eagle-eyed watch on the budget.
- The eagle scout received his badge.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw a big eagle at the zoo.
- The eagle can fly very high.
- The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States.
- He watched the eagle soar above the mountains.
- With her eagle eye, she quickly noticed the discrepancy in the report.
- The golfer scored an eagle on the difficult par-five hole.
- The company's new logo features a stylised eagle, symbolising vision and strength.
- Her editorial scrutiny was nothing short of eagle-eyed, missing no nuance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the letter 'E' with wings, flying high like an EAGLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISION/HEIGHT IS KNOWLEDGE/POWER ('eagle eye', 'soaring like an eagle'). FREEDOM IS FLIGHT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'игла' (needle). The Russian word 'орёл' translates directly.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'egale' or 'eagel'. Incorrect use of articles ('I saw eagle' instead of 'I saw an eagle').
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'eagle' NOT refer to a bird?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes, but it can be a verb in golf (to score an eagle) and can form compound adjectives like 'eagle-eyed'.
Eagles are generally larger, with more powerful builds and heavier beaks and talons. Hawks are typically smaller and more agile.
It symbolizes strength, courage, freedom, and immortality due to its size, power, and ability to fly at great heights.
It is pronounced /ˈiːɡl̩/ (EE-gul), with a silent 'e' at the end. The 'g' is a hard /ɡ/ sound.