birdie

American  

[bur-dee] / ˈbɜr di /

noun

1. a small bird.

2. Golf. a score of one stroke under par on a hole.

3. a shuttlecock.

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verb (used with object)

birdied, birdieing

1. Golf. to make a birdie on (a hole).

birdie British  

/ ˈbɜːdɪ /

noun

1. golf a score of one stroke under par for a hole

2. informal a bird, esp a small bird

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verb

1. (tr) golf to play (a hole) in one stroke under par

Etymology

Origin of birdie

First recorded in 1785–95; bird + -ie

Example Sentences

But Sheffield-born Fitzpatrick hit a superb approach on the first play-off hole, before nervelessly sinking his birdie putt to win.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

He followed that up with a chip-in for birdie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

McIlroy would not look back from there, and another birdie followed at 13.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

On Sunday, he played those three holes par, par and birdie, going some distance toward exorcising the demons of 2011.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

“A gift certificate to On the Run. A little birdie told me you might be in the market for some new running gear.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison