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

Andy Akiho’s clever music mechanically parrots the repetitions in the text and grows increasingly frantic as the students’ frustration and discomfort escalate—they hate her and they want her to notice them.

From The Wall Street Journal

“No, but I do have a friend who owes me a very big favor. I once found him a golden parrot statue for his aviary.”

From Literature

At the far end of the building was an indoor/outdoor aviary filled with colorful parrots.

From Literature

At that time, he attempted to cross with a parrot in a towel under his arm, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times

“Very avant-garde. Like a large parrot. More of a statement piece now.”

From Literature

Related Words

• recite