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

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of fledgling

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Lucas was pushing Coppola to do a studio film for hire to keep his fledgling Zoetrope Studio afloat, making Coppola feel pressured to sell out.

From Los Angeles Times

Her unorthodox plan had one fledgling publisher’s name all over it — Bindery Books.

From Los Angeles Times

He shared an apartment at Broadway and West 107th Street with a fledgling actor named Dustin Hoffman.

From Los Angeles Times

But for right now, the fledgling business is a big financial drag on the company.

From MarketWatch

Tech stocks sparked the selloff earlier this week as fledgling fears over the unintended consequences of AI turned into a full-fledged panic about the future of the software industry.

From Barron's

Related Words

• chick
• nestling