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

While rare species of wild parrots can fetch $1,000 or more.

From BBC

A talking parrot has helped bring down a major drugs operation after a gang member taught it how to say phrases used by dealers, like "two for 25".

From BBC

Altadenans are no strangers to animal sightings — there are peacocks and parrots aplenty around town — but news of a coyote and black bear palling around town together recently has locals talking.

From Los Angeles Times

The line is the most shocking thing said in the film, so irrefutably aligned with the violent rhetoric that Israel has parroted in its genocide of the Palestinian people, that it took me aback.

From Salon

Black bears, parrots and even peacocks tell a similar story in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• recite