parakeet

or par·ra·keet

[ par-uh-keet ]

/ ˈpær əˌkit /

Save This Word!

noun

any of numerous small, slender parrots, usually having a long, pointed, graduated tail, often kept as pets and noted for the ability to mimic speech: several species are endangered.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also par·a·quet, par·o·quet, par·ro·ket, par·ro·quet

[par-uh-ket] /ˈpær əˌkɛt/ .

Origin of parakeet

1575–85; from Middle French paroquet “parrot,” apparently originally a diminutive of P(i)errot, diminutive of Pierre “Peter,” as a name for a parrot; the modern form and its earlier variants have been influenced by Italian parrocchetto and Spanish periquito (both ultimately from Middle French )

Words nearby parakeet

parainfluenza 4 virus, parainfluenza 5 virus, para-influenza virus, paraison, parajournalism, parakeet, parakelia, parakeratosis, parakinesia, parakiting, Parakou

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use parakeet in a sentence

A pet owner used it to free his parakeet—and himself—from sticky mouse paper.
20 ingenious uses for WD-40|By Bill Heavey/Field & Stream|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
Still, there might be some hope for Holland in Mani the psychic parakeet from Singapore.
World Cup Primer|Joshua Robinson|June 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST
There are a thousand ways to get the public on your side; talking about your wife like she is a parakeet isn't one of them.
Blago on the Offensive|Dan Abrams|January 28, 2009|DAILY BEAST
He saw Smithy's birdcage, walked over to it and stared for a moment quietly at Dicky, the doctor's parakeet.
When I Grow Up|Richard E. Lowe

But one day I was looking at a bird perched on my windowsill, and it fell over dead, just as your parakeet did.
When I Grow Up|Richard E. Lowe
Paralyzed, he remained in his green and red parakeet feathers watching the motions of the injured pirate.
Mr. Wicker's Window|Carley Dawson
The pirate's eyes were fixed on the parakeet, and his twitching fingers played with the steel-tipped whip.
Mr. Wicker's Window|Carley Dawson
Osterbridge, vastly pleased to see his green parakeet again, was wreathed in smiles.
Mr. Wicker's Window|Carley Dawson

British Dictionary definitions for parakeet

parakeet

parrakeet

/ (ˈpærəˌkiːt) /

noun

any of numerous small usually brightly coloured long-tailed parrots, such as Psittacula krameri (ring-necked parakeet), of Africa

Word Origin for parakeet

C16: from Spanish periquito and Old French paroquet parrot, of uncertain origin

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