Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

old bird

British  

noun

  1. humorous a wary and astute person

"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

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.

Scientists are now able to extract some genetic material from old bird specimens by scraping the pads of the toes.

From New York Times • Aug. 31, 2021

Though Bannon’s wings have been clipped, he is a tough old bird with a sharp beak.

From The Guardian • Apr. 17, 2017

Why would you want a tough old bird?

From Time • Nov. 20, 2015

Mandell's Solomon, his hands aflutter as though dancing on the keys of an adding machine, traverses the stage like an old bird on twig-like legs that are about to snap.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2015

As to what I dare, I’m a old bird now, as has dared all manner of traps since first he was fledged, and I’m not afeerd to perch upon a scarecrow.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "old bird" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com