parrot

American  

[par-uht] / ˈpær ət /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• parrotlike adjective
• parrotry noun
• parroty adjective

Etymology

Origin of parrot

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

Example Sentences

This doesn’t prove they are conscious, but it shows these self-reports track the model’s truth-telling mechanisms, not random outputs the model learned to parrot.

From The Wall Street Journal

A one-eyed flightless African Grey parrot has been given a specially-adapted aviary to help her thrive.

From BBC

She explained that many parrot species develop strong, lasting relationships with one or two partners.

From Science Daily

Some birds, such as parrots, are known to be good talkers, but to Penelope’s knowledge there had never been a great orator among them.

From Literature

Alas, the book had been lost in a high-speed chase involving singing pirates and a howling parrot.

From Literature

Related Words

• recite