grand canary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Specialist / Zoological
Quick answer
What does “grand canary” mean?
A large, long-established breed of domestic canary, renowned for its impressive size and proud posture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, long-established breed of domestic canary, renowned for its impressive size and proud posture.
Primarily refers to the specific avian breed. May occasionally be used in a literary or historical context to refer to the Canary Islands (a calque of Spanish 'Gran Canaria'), but this is non-standard in modern English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More widely recognized in UK aviculture/hobbyist circles; in the US, the breed is known but the general term 'canary' is overwhelmingly dominant.
Connotations
Connotes expertise, tradition, and selective breeding in both varieties. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse in both regions. Higher relative frequency within niche UK bird-keeping communities.
Grammar
How to Use “grand canary” in a Sentence
[the] Grand Canary [bred/showed/sang]a [champion/prize] Grand CanaryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grand canary” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He is a Grand Canary breeder of some renown.
- The Grand Canary standard requires a height of over 19 centimetres.
American English
- She specializes in Grand Canary genetics.
- The Grand Canary posture is distinct from other types.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in ornithology or historical texts on aviculture.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only among bird enthusiasts.
Technical
Precise term within aviculture for the specific breed standard.
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grand canary”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grand canary”
- Using lower case ('grand canary') when referring to the breed.
- Assuming it is a common term for any large canary rather than a specific breed.
- Confusing it with a geographical location in English text.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specific, large breed of canary, much like a German Shepherd is a specific breed of dog.
No, that is a dated or erroneous calque from Spanish. In English, the island is called 'Gran Canaria'.
Yes, they are canaries and do sing, but they are primarily bred for their size and posture (type canaries) rather than song (song canaries).
At a bird show, in an aviculture magazine, or among communities of serious canary breeders and fanciers.
A large, long-established breed of domestic canary, renowned for its impressive size and proud posture.
Grand canary is usually specialist / zoological in register.
Grand canary: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænd kəˈneə.ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænd kəˈner.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GRAND, regal bird standing very tall and proud in its cage – this is the Grand Canary, the aristocrat of canaries.
Conceptual Metaphor
BREED IS ARISTOCRACY (the 'Grand' implies nobility, size, and superior breeding).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Grand Canary' most precisely and correctly used?