shrike: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical / Specialist (ornithology); rarely Literary.
Quick answer
What does “shrike” mean?
A medium-sized, predatory songbird of the family Laniidae, known for its habit of impaling prey (like insects or small vertebrates) on thorns or barbed wire to store or tear apart.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized, predatory songbird of the family Laniidae, known for its habit of impaling prey (like insects or small vertebrates) on thorns or barbed wire to store or tear apart.
In non-technical contexts, can be used to refer to a predatory or merciless person, though this is rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is identical in spelling and use. Regional differences only involve which specific species are native (e.g., Great Grey Shrike in UK, Loggerhead Shrike in US).
Connotations
The literary or figurative use ('a person like a shrike') is equally rare in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more likely to be encountered by the general public in North American contexts (due to the wider range and visibility of species like the Loggerhead Shrike) but remains a low-frequency term outside of birdwatching.
Grammar
How to Use “shrike” in a Sentence
The [species] shrike [verb, e.g., impaled, caught, perched].We observed a shrike [present participle, e.g., hunting, storing prey].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shrike” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- shrike-like behaviour
American English
- shrike-like impaling
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and ecology papers describing behaviour, distribution, or conservation status.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Only used by birdwatchers or in nature documentaries.
Technical
Primary context. Used with species modifiers and in discussions of predatory adaptations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shrike”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shrike”
- Misspelling as 'shrick' or 'shreik'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He shriked the mouse').
- Confusing it with similar-sized birds like thrushes or starlings.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Shrikes are songbirds (passerines) with predatory habits. They lack the powerful talons of true raptors but have strong, hooked beaks.
Primarily to secure it for later consumption (creating a 'larder'), and also because their feet are not strong enough to hold large prey while they tear it apart.
Yes, but it is a very literary, rare, and specific metaphor. It suggests not just cruelty, but a cold, methodical, and trapping kind of predation. Most listeners may not understand the allusion.
Yes, but they are uncommon. The Great Grey Shrike is a rare winter visitor, and the Red-backed Shrike is a scarce migrant breeder, now mainly found in a few specific areas.
A medium-sized, predatory songbird of the family Laniidae, known for its habit of impaling prey (like insects or small vertebrates) on thorns or barbed wire to store or tear apart.
Shrike is usually technical / specialist (ornithology); rarely literary. in register.
Shrike: in British English it is pronounced /ʃraɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃraɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to have) a shrike's heart”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The SHARP beak of the shrike makes it STRIKE and SPIKE its prey on a thorn.' (SH-rike, ST-rike, SPIKE).
Conceptual Metaphor
CRUELTY/PREDATION IS IMPALEMENT (from the bird's habit). A ruthless person can be metaphorically described as a 'shrike'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most distinctive behavioural characteristic of a shrike?