budgerigar

[ buhj-uh-ree-gahr, -er-i- ]

  1. an Australian parakeet, Melopsittacus undulatus, having greenish plumage with black and yellow markings, bred as a pet in a variety of colors.

Origin of budgerigar

1
First recorded in 1840–50; perhaps misrepresentation of Kamilaroi or Yuwaalaraay (an Australian Aboriginal language of northern New South Wales) gijirrigā (perhaps gijirr “yellow” or “small” + “head”)
  • Also called shell parakeet.
  • Also budg·er·ee·gah, budg·er·y·gah [buhj-uh-ree-gah]. /ˈbʌdʒ ə riˌgɑ/.

Words Nearby budgerigar

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for budgerigar

budgerigar

/ (ˈbʌdʒərɪˌɡɑː) /


noun
  1. a small green Australian parrot, Melopsittacus undulatus : a popular cagebird that is bred in many different coloured varieties: Often (informal) shortened to: budgie

Origin of budgerigar

1
C19: from a native Australian language

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012