mavis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Poetic, Archaic, Regional (UK/Ireland)
Quick answer
What does “mavis” mean?
A European song thrush (Turdus philomelos), known for its melodious singing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A European song thrush (Turdus philomelos), known for its melodious singing.
The name is sometimes used, chiefly in poetic or literary contexts, to refer to a skilled female singer or a songbird in general, due to the bird's renowned song.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is primarily used in British English and is almost entirely absent from general American English vocabulary. In the UK, it is recognized, especially by older generations and in nature writing. In Ireland, it can be found in place names and older literature.
Connotations
In British English, it conveys a nostalgic, rural, or poetic quality. In American English, it is essentially unknown and would likely be interpreted as a personal name (Mavis).
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern American English. Low and declining in modern British English, largely confined to older literature, poetry, and nature guides.
Grammar
How to Use “mavis” in a Sentence
The [adjective] mavis sang.We heard a mavis [verb-ing].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mavis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- n/a
American English
- n/a
adverb
British English
- n/a
American English
- n/a
adjective
British English
- n/a
American English
- n/a
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used only in specific ornithological or literary studies.
Everyday
Virtually unused in modern everyday conversation.
Technical
Used as a common name in ornithology, alongside the scientific name.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mavis”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mavis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mavis”
- Using it as a generic term for any small bird.
- Assuming it is common in modern American English.
- Confusing it with the more common 'blackbird'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word, considered literary, poetic, or archaic in modern English.
Primarily no. 'Mavis' is a female personal name. The bird meaning is separate, though a person might be poetically compared to a mavis for their singing.
They are different species. A mavis (song thrush) has a brown back and spotted chest. A blackbird (Turdus merula) is all black (male) or dark brown (female) with an orange-yellow bill.
Almost never. An American encountering the word would most likely think of it as the personal name 'Mavis' rather than a bird.
A European song thrush (Turdus philomelos), known for its melodious singing.
Mavis is usually literary, poetic, archaic, regional (uk/ireland) in register.
Mavis: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪ.vɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪ.vɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “n/a”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MAVis Sings: Imagine a bird named MAVIS who sings a MAY-day song (MAY-vis).
Conceptual Metaphor
n/a (The word is primarily a literal zoological term.)
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'mavis'?