goldfinch

[ gohld-finch ]

noun

1. a European finch, Carduelis carduelis, having a crimson face and wings marked with yellow.
2. any of certain related American finches of the genus Carduelis, as C. tristis, the male of which has yellow body plumage in the summer.

goldfinch

/ ˈɡəʊldˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a common European finch, Carduelis carduelis, the adult of which has a red-and-white face and yellow-and-black wings
2. any of several North American finches of the genus Spinus, esp the yellow-and-black species S. tristis

Word History and Origins

Origin of goldfinch¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English goldfinc. See gold, finch

Example Sentences

The last of the nesters — goldfinches, bluebirds — are seeing off their offspring.

From Washington Post

He uses a variety of feeders, including hopper-style feeders suitable for many birds, tube feeders where birds like goldfinches cling and hummingbird feeders — also an option for apartment dwellers without a yard.

From Washington Post

Best line: “No amount of straining for high-flown uplift can disguise the fact that The Goldfinch is a turkey.”

From The Daily Beast

Donna Tartt built her latest novel around a 350-year-old portrait of a goldfinch.

From The Daily Beast

The Goldfinch proves Tartt to be a rara avis; her own species, willingly chained to her demanding muse.

From The Daily Beast

Even the little goldfinch was impressed and looked on with interest.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the ninth of February, and the goldfinch was calling, as he often did.

From Project Gutenberg

The goldfinch in his cage scolded the stranger for alighting too near his door.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Tchink, who said he voted for the fox so that the goldfinch should not have the throne.

From Project Gutenberg

A goldfinch perched on a dry dead stalk of wild carrot, a stalk that looked too slender to bear the bird.

From Project Gutenberg