fledgling

American  

[flej-ling] / ˈflɛdʒ lɪŋ /

especially British, fledgeling

noun

1. a young bird just fledged.

2. an inexperienced person.

   Synonyms:

   greenhorn, freshman, beginner, tyro, novice

---

adjective

1. young, new, or inexperienced.

   a fledgling diver.

fledgling British  

/ ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ /

noun

1. a young bird that has just fledged

2. 1. a young and inexperienced or untried person, organization or system

---

fledgling Scientific  

/ flĕj′lĭng /

1. A young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly and is capable of surviving outside the nest.

---

Etymology

Origin of fledgling

First recorded in 1820–30; fledge + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

Georgia got one snap from scrimmage and had some frantic fun with it, with players making nine lateral tosses like a fledgling rugby squad before quarterback Gunner Stockton was tackled to end the game.

From Los Angeles Times

And what investment there is in the sport is now being directed to events such as the Olympics, the Grand Slam of Curling or the fledgling Rock League, not to building more community rinks.

From Los Angeles Times

He is still "obsessed" with rugby and says he intends to continue his punditry and analysis work alongside his fledgling medical career.

From BBC

Few disagreed with the Argentine magazine El Gráfico, which seemed to predict there was little future for the fledgling event.

From Los Angeles Times

The fledgling democracy had a thriving press and cinema scene, and promising economic potential as the world's leading rice exporter.

From Barron's

Related Words

• chick
• nestling