sparrow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, leaning towards informal. It is common in both spoken and written English.
Quick answer
What does “sparrow” mean?
A small, chiefly brown or grey bird of the family Passeridae, found worldwide and commonly associated with human habitation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, chiefly brown or grey bird of the family Passeridae, found worldwide and commonly associated with human habitation.
A term often used to refer to any small, active songbird, or metaphorically to describe a small, nimble, or unassuming person.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in both dialects, with 'house sparrow' as the most common species. No significant lexical difference.
Connotations
In both cultures, it is associated with everyday life, simplicity, and sometimes a 'cheeky' character. In the UK, it has stronger nostalgic rural connotations due to population declines.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE. The 'sparrow' remains a cultural archetype for a small, common bird.
Grammar
How to Use “sparrow” in a Sentence
the [adjective] sparrow [verb]a sparrow [verb] on/in/at [noun]He was as [adjective] as a sparrow.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sparrow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) To behave like a sparrow; to chirp or move quickly. Not in common use.
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard) As above. No dialect-specific usage.
adverb
British English
- (No established adverbial form)
American English
- (No established adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- sparrow-like (e.g., sparrow-like agility)
- sparrow-sized
American English
- sparrow-like (e.g., a sparrow-like figure)
- sparrow-sized
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used, unless in branding or metaphorical contexts (e.g., 'nimble as a sparrow').
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and biology for specific species classification (e.g., 'The Eurasian tree sparrow...').
Everyday
Common in general conversation and descriptive writing about nature, gardens, and urban environments.
Technical
Strictly ornithological for species identification (e.g., 'Passer montanus').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sparrow”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sparrow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sparrow”
- Misspelling as 'sparow' or 'sparow'.
- Confusing 'sparrow' with 'sparrowhawk', which is a bird of prey.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it most commonly refers to the house sparrow, it is a generic term for many small birds in the Passeridae family, like the tree sparrow or song sparrow.
A sparrowhawk is a type of small bird of prey (Accipiter nisus) that often hunts small birds, including sparrows. It is a completely different species.
Yes, in many regions, particularly in the UK and Europe, house sparrow populations have seen significant declines since the late 20th century, making them a conservation concern.
Yes, especially in British English (e.g., 'cockney sparrow'). It can be used affectionately to describe a small, lively person.
A small, chiefly brown or grey bird of the family Passeridae, found worldwide and commonly associated with human habitation.
Sparrow is usually neutral, leaning towards informal. it is common in both spoken and written english. in register.
Sparrow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspær.əʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsper.oʊ/ or /ˈspær.oʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cockney sparrow (BrE: a lively, talkative person from London)”
- “As happy as a sparrow”
- “Sparrow's fart (Aus/NZ slang: very early in the morning)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SPARrow flying through the AIR. SPAR-row. It's a small bird you see when you walk through a park.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMONPLACE IS A SPARROW (e.g., 'He's just a little sparrow' meaning unremarkable); NIMBLENESS IS A SPARROW (e.g., 'She darted around like a sparrow').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most common metaphorical use of 'sparrow'?