parrot

[par-uht]

noun

1. any of numerous hook-billed, often brilliantly colored birds of the order Psittaciformes, as the cockatoo, lory, macaw, or parakeet, having the ability to mimic speech and often kept as pets.

2. a person who, without thought or understanding, merely repeats the words or imitates the actions of another.

verb (used with object)

1. to repeat or imitate without thought or understanding.

2. to teach to repeat or imitate in such a fashion.

parrot

/ ˈpærət /

noun

1. any bird of the tropical and subtropical order Psittaciformes, having a short hooked bill, compact body, bright plumage, and an ability to mimic sounds

2. a person who repeats or imitates the words or actions of another unintelligently

3. facetious,  extremely disappointed

verb

1. (tr) to repeat or imitate mechanically without understanding

Other Word Forms

• parrotlike adjective
• parroty adjective
• parrotry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parrot¹

1515–25; apparently < Middle French P ( i ) errot, diminutive of Pierre ( parakeet ), though a comparable sense of the French word is not known until the 18th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of parrot¹

C16: probably from French paroquet; see _parakeet

Example Sentences

Many of the beasts have comical attributes: feathered elbows, parrot beaks or sail-like membranes on their heads.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Even the animals are distinctive—especially Kōkī, the pet parrot who acts like a Shakespearean fool, squawking incautious truths to Tongan authority.

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“Animals sold in pet stores come from cruel mills where thousands of animals from bearded dragons to parrots are crammed into cages and tanks,” said Liz Cabrera Holtz, the organization’s senior program manager.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed crowds directly at the march where he criticised politicians for "parroting" his ideas.

Read more on BBC

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds where he criticised politicians for "parroting" his ideas.

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Related Words

• recite