English sparrow
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of English sparrow
An Americanism dating back to 1875–80
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.
Fish and Wildlife also allows two other invasive non-game birds — the English sparrow and the European starling — to be killed by licensed hunters, according to the release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2025
Officials of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences discussed the problem at length, finally sent to England for an urban bird: the English sparrow.
From Time Magazine Archive
Biological Survey: "The English sparrow among birds, like the rat among mammals, is cunning, destructive and filthy."
From Time Magazine Archive
Mr. Clark says he once saw a blue swallowtail chasing an English sparrow.
From Time Magazine Archive
A kingbird doesn't like the scolding catbird for a neighbour, or the teasing blue jay, or the meddlesome English sparrow, but he simply gives them a wide berth.
From Birds Every Child Should Know by Blanchan, Neltje
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.
