hummingbird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1General, formal, scientific, literary.
Quick answer
What does “hummingbird” mean?
A very small, brightly coloured bird with a long, thin beak whose wings beat so fast they make a humming sound, allowing it to hover while feeding on nectar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very small, brightly coloured bird with a long, thin beak whose wings beat so fast they make a humming sound, allowing it to hover while feeding on nectar.
Can refer to something very small, fast, or agile, often used metaphorically. In technology, may refer to small, agile systems or quick processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word and its biological reference are identical in all standard varieties. Potential differences exist in naming specific species common to each region.
Connotations
Identical positive connotations of beauty, delicacy, speed, and agility.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in North American English due to the greater diversity and commonality of hummingbirds in the Americas.
Grammar
How to Use “hummingbird” in a Sentence
The [adjective] hummingbird + verb (hovered, darted, fed).We saw a hummingbird + present participle (hovering, sipping).A hummingbird of + [species/region] (a hummingbird of the Andes).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hummingbird” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; verb form not in use.)
American English
- (Not standard; verb form not in use.)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; adverb form not in use.)
American English
- (Not standard; adverb form not in use.)
adjective
British English
- The garden featured a beautiful hummingbird-friendly planting scheme.
- He was fascinated by hummingbird flight dynamics.
American English
- She set up a hummingbird-attracting feeder with sugar water.
- We studied the hummingbird migration patterns.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphor for agile, fast-moving projects or startups: 'Our new development team operates with hummingbird agility.'
Academic
Common in biology, ecology, zoology, and environmental studies texts.
Everyday
Common in gardening, wildlife observation, and general conversation about nature.
Technical
Specific in ornithology; used in engineering/robotics for micro-drones inspired by its flight.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hummingbird”
- Spelling: 'humingbird' (missing 'm'), 'humming bird' (as two words).
- Pronunciation: Mispronouncing the first syllable as /hjuːm/ instead of /hʌm/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word: 'hummingbird'. The two-word form 'humming bird' is an older or less common variant.
Yes, almost all of the more than 300 species of hummingbird are native to the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. They are not naturally found in Europe, Africa, Asia, or Australia.
No, 'hummingbird' is exclusively a noun. There is no standard verb form 'to hummingbird'.
The main difference is in the final /r/ sound. In British English, the final <r> in 'bird' is not pronounced (/bɜːd/). In American English, it is a rhotic /r/ (/bɝːd/). The first syllable is identical.
A very small, brightly coloured bird with a long, thin beak whose wings beat so fast they make a humming sound, allowing it to hover while feeding on nectar.
Hummingbird is usually general, formal, scientific, literary. in register.
Hummingbird: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌm.ɪŋ.bɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhʌm.ɪŋ.bɝːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Busy as a hummingbird”
- “Have the attention span of a hummingbird”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HUM the song + BIRD = The bird that hums with its wings.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED/AGILITY IS HUMMINGBIRD-LIKE; FRAGILE BEAUTY IS A HUMMINGBIRD.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that gives the hummingbird its name?