honeysucker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareScientific/technical (ornithology). Archaic or poetic in extended sense.
Quick answer
What does “honeysucker” mean?
A bird that feeds on nectar, especially one belonging to the family Meliphagidae or Nectariniidae.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bird that feeds on nectar, especially one belonging to the family Meliphagidae or Nectariniidae.
Less commonly, it can refer to a person who enjoys or is devoted to consuming honey or sweet things.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; the term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term. Any figurative use would be perceived as whimsical or old-fashioned.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in all contexts. Likely to be encountered only in ornithological texts or historical literature.
Grammar
How to Use “honeysucker” in a Sentence
The honeysucker [verb: feeds/ sips/ extracts] nectar.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “honeysucker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bird honeysucked from the protea blossom.
American English
- The small bird was honeysucking at the feeder.
adverb
British English
- The beak moved honeysuckingly from flower to flower.
American English
- It fed honeysuckingly on the syrup.
adjective
British English
- We observed honeysucker behaviour in the aviary.
American English
- The honeysucker species is native to Africa.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ornithology and zoology.
Everyday
Almost never used.
Technical
Specific to ornithological classification and description.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “honeysucker”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “honeysucker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “honeysucker”
- Confusing it with 'honey badger'. Using it as a general term for any bird that likes sweet things instead of its specific zoological meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both feed on nectar, hummingbirds (family Trochilidae) are found only in the Americas. 'Honeysucker' typically refers to Old World families like sunbirds and honeyeaters.
It would be considered highly poetic, archaic, or humorous. In modern English, it is not a standard or common figurative expression.
In specialized ornithological texts, field guides for birds in Africa, Asia, or Australasia, or in very old literary works.
In technical use, 'honeyeater' refers specifically to birds in the family Meliphagidae (Australasia), while 'honeysucker' can be a broader, older term for nectar-feeding birds, often synonymous with 'sunbird' (family Nectariniidae, Africa/Asia).
A bird that feeds on nectar, especially one belonging to the family Meliphagidae or Nectariniidae.
Honeysucker is usually scientific/technical (ornithology). archaic or poetic in extended sense. in register.
Honeysucker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌniˌsʌkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhəniˌsʌkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a small bird sucking sweet honey from a flower.
Conceptual Metaphor
BIRD IS A CONSUMER (of nectar).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'honeysucker' primarily?