avian
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of avian
Explanation
Anything avian relates to birds. Avian flu is the bird flu, which birds can pass to humans. Someone who flies a plane is an aviator, and that may help you remember that avian things have to do with birds. Feathers are part of avian anatomy. Laying eggs is the avian method of reproduction. Bird-watchers are avian experts who know how to tell birds apart. Ornithologists are also avian experts: they’re scientists who study birds.
Vocabulary lists containing avian
Words of a Feather: Unflappable Avian Vocabulary
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More Animal Adjectives
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This Week in Words: August 25 - 31, 2018
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Indeed, your avian visitors may complain if you give them fewer tasty treats or stop feeding them altogether.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026
Australian wildlife workers have launched an unprecedented effort to vaccinate wild populations of little penguins against the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Thousands took to social media to express their condolences and praise the avian matriarch.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Emily Burton, conservation manager, said: "Gannet populations have suffered significant declines, and many colonies are still recovering from the impacts of avian influenza."
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
“Are you trying to give us all avian flu? Put that down! Throw it away! And—take a shower, for Pete’s sake!”
From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
