budgerigar

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

/ ˈbʌdʒ ə riˌgɑr, -ər ɪ- /

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

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Also budg·er·ee·gah, budg·er·y·gah

[buhj-uh-ree-gah]. /ˈbʌdʒ ə riˌgɑ/.

Also called shell parakeet.

Origin of budgerigar

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” + gā “head”)

Words nearby budgerigar

Budënny, budesonide, bud fission, budge, budgeree, budgerigar, budget, budget account, budgetary control, budget deficit, budgeteer

British Dictionary definitions for budgerigar

budgerigar

/ (ˈbʌdʒərɪˌɡɑː) /

noun

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

Word Origin for budgerigar

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