grackle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal (biological/ornithological), Informal (regional bird-watching contexts)
Quick answer
What does “grackle” mean?
A medium-sized, typically blackbird-like bird of the family Icteridae, known for its glossy, iridescent plumage and often raucous call.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized, typically blackbird-like bird of the family Icteridae, known for its glossy, iridescent plumage and often raucous call.
Informally, can refer to any bird with similar noisy or gregarious behaviour; used in computing as a name for a code-review tool.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is rarely used in everyday British English. The birds are not native to the UK. In American English, it is recognised, especially in regions where the birds are common (e.g., southeastern US).
Connotations
In the US, often connotes a noisy, opportunistic bird that gathers in large flocks. Neutral in technical use, slightly negative in casual use due to the bird's behaviour.
Frequency
Very low frequency in UK; low to medium in relevant US regions (Texas, Florida, etc.); virtually non-existent elsewhere.
Grammar
How to Use “grackle” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] grackle [VERBed] on the [NOUN].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and ecology papers.
Everyday
Used in North American regions where the bird is present; otherwise unknown.
Technical
Name of a code-review tool (Grackle).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grackle”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grackle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grackle”
- Confusing it with a crow or raven.
- Misspelling as 'grackel' or 'grackal'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to grackle').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are from different bird families. Grackles are icterids (related to blackbirds and orioles), while crows are corvids. They differ in size, shape, and behaviour.
Grackles are native to the New World, primarily North and Central America. They are not found naturally in Europe, Asia, or Africa.
No, 'grackle' is solely a noun in standard English. Using it as a verb ('to grackle') is non-standard and likely an error.
Because 'Grackle' is the name of a software tool used for automated accessibility checking and code review, particularly for documents and websites.
A medium-sized, typically blackbird-like bird of the family Icteridae, known for its glossy, iridescent plumage and often raucous call.
Grackle is usually formal (biological/ornithological), informal (regional bird-watching contexts) in register.
Grackle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrak(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡrækəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird that GRABS your attention with a CRACKLING, noisy call: GRACKLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GRACKLE is OFTEN A NOISY INTRUDER / A GLOSSY SCavenger.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'grackle' primarily?