mourning dove: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral
Quick answer
What does “mourning dove” mean?
A common North American bird (Zenaida macroura) with a soft, sorrowful call, noted for its muted grey-brown plumage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common North American bird (Zenaida macroura) with a soft, sorrowful call, noted for its muted grey-brown plumage.
A symbol of peace, sorrow, or remembrance in some cultural contexts, due to its gentle nature and plaintive call.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The bird is native to the Americas; the term is used in UK contexts but primarily in ornithological or nature writing. UK speakers might more generically refer to a 'dove'.
Connotations
Similar in both dialects: peace, gentleness, melancholy. In the US, it is a familiar backyard bird.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to the bird's prevalence there.
Grammar
How to Use “mourning dove” in a Sentence
The [adj] mourning dove [verb].A mourning dove [verb] on the [noun].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mourning dove” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The mourning-dove population is stable.
- He studied mourning-dove behaviour.
American English
- The mourning dove population is stable.
- He studied mourning dove behavior.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and environmental studies.
Everyday
Used when describing birds in gardens or parks, especially in North America.
Technical
A specific species identifier in zoological classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mourning dove”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mourning dove”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mourning dove”
- Misspelling as 'morning dove'.
- Confusing it with the unrelated European 'turtle dove'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They belong to the same family (Columbidae) but are different species. Mourning doves are generally smaller and slimmer with a distinctive long, tapered tail.
Its cooing vocalisation has a soft, rising-and-falling quality that human ears often interpret as sad or lamenting, hence the name 'mourning'.
They are not native to the UK. The term is understood, but the bird is not commonly seen there. The European equivalent often referenced is the turtle dove.
'Mourning dove' (with a 'u'), not 'morning dove'. The spelling reflects grief ('mourning'), not the time of day.
A common North American bird (Zenaida macroura) with a soft, sorrowful call, noted for its muted grey-brown plumage.
Mourning dove is usually neutral in register.
Mourning dove: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɔː.nɪŋ ˌdʌv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɔːr.nɪŋ ˌdʌv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'Mourning' dove sounds like 'morning' dove, but its sad call is for 'mourning' (grieving). Picture a grey dove at a quiet dawn funeral.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND OF SORROW (its coo is metaphorically linked to lamentation).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason for the name 'mourning dove'?