phoebe

[ fee-bee ]

/ ˈfi bi /

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noun

any of several small American flycatchers of the genus Sayornis, especially S. phoebe, of eastern North America.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

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Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of phoebe

1690–1700, Americanism; imitative; spelling by influence of Phoebe

Words nearby phoebe

phocine, Phocion, Phocis, phocomelia, phocomelic dwarf, phoebe, Phoebus, Phoenicia, Phoenician, phoenix, Phoenix Islands

Other definitions for phoebe (2 of 2)

Phoebe

[ fee-bee ]

/ ˈfi bi /

noun

Classical Mythology. a Titan, daughter of Uranus and Gaia and mother of Leto, later identified with Artemis and with the Roman goddess Diana.

Astronomy. one of the moons of Saturn.

Literary. the moon personified.

a female given name.

Origin of Phoebe

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Phebe, Phebee, from Latin Phoebē, from Greek Phoíbē, feminine of phoîbos “shining, radiant, bright”; see Phoebus

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

How to use phoebe in a sentence

Some spoilery nepotism aside, the characters in the 2016 film are closer to the original Ghostbusters than Phoebe, brother Trevor and their diverse friends are.
How Ghostbusters: Afterlife Fits Into the Long-Running Franchise|James Grebey|November 17, 2021|Time
Neither scene features Phoebe, Trevor or any other “new” character introduced in the film.
How Ghostbusters: Afterlife Fits Into the Long-Running Franchise|James Grebey|November 17, 2021|Time
Southwest Georgia Regional paid only $5,000 a year for the arrangement and it reaped benefits including no-interest loans from Phoebe.
Rural U.S. Hospitals Are on Life Support as a Third Wave of COVID-19 Strikes|Emily Barone|October 20, 2020|Time
So when he told me, 'You can come to my show, but you can't come to see Phoebe, and you can't come to see Riccardo, that was odd.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s Balmain Campaign: High Fashion Meets Low Culture|Amy Zimmerman|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Remember when Chandler was sexually attracted to sharks and Phoebe raised a litter of baby rats?
15 Times ‘Friends’ Was Really, Really Weird|Kevin Fallon|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Also making Time's list are Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet and Céline's creative director, Phoebe Philo.
Beyonce Covers Time's '100 Most Influential People' Issue; Michelle Obama to Cut Ribbon at Anna Wintour Costume Center|The Fashion Beast Team|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was that innocently ignoble time Phoebe Buffay pretended she was a physician named Dr. Regina Phalange.
Scandal’s Lisa Kudrow on Sexism in Politics (and That Epic Rant)|Kevin Fallon|November 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In a shocking turn, minimalist Phoebe Philo presented a bold new aesthetic for Céline next spring.
Céline's New Look|Erin Cunningham|September 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Oh yes; there was Phoebe,” replied Benjamin, looking rather confused.
The Children of the New Forest|Captain Marryat
Edward had left the room, and having obtained the saddle-bags from Phoebe, had gone up to his chamber.
The Children of the New Forest|Captain Marryat
He found Edward in the state described by Oswald, and wholly unconscious of his presence; the maid, Phoebe, was by his bedside.
The Children of the New Forest|Captain Marryat
That Venus liked him, and Phoebe liked him, added strength to the feeling.
Jesse Cliffe|Mary Russell Mitford
The hare which he had himself given to Phoebe was easier to tame than Jesse Cliffe.
Jesse Cliffe|Mary Russell Mitford

British Dictionary definitions for phoebe (1 of 3)

phoebe

/ (ˈfiːbɪ) /

noun

any of several greyish-brown North American flycatchers of the genus Sayornis, such as S. phoebe (eastern phoebe)

Word Origin for phoebe

C19: imitative of the bird's call

British Dictionary definitions for phoebe (2 of 3)

Phoebe¹

Phebe

/ (ˈfiːbɪ) /

noun

classical myth a Titaness, who later became identified with Artemis (Diana) as goddess of the moon

poetic a personification of the moon

British Dictionary definitions for phoebe (3 of 3)

Phoebe²

/ (ˈfiːbɪ) /

noun

the outermost satellite of the planet Saturn. It has retrograde motion and a dark surface

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