phoebe

[ fee-bee ]

/ ˈfi bi /

noun

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

Nearby words

phocion, phocis, phocomelia, phocomelic dwarf, phocomely, phoebe, phoebean, phoebus, phoenicia, phoenician, phoenix

Origin of phoebe

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

Definition for phoebe (2 of 2)

Phoebe

[ fee-bee ]

/ ˈfi bi /

noun

Classical Mythology. a Titan, daughter of Uranus and Gaea 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for phoebe

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
Phoebe's tears at parting made Staines feel uncomfortable, and he said so.
A Simpleton|Charles Reade
How many times must I tell you to put a clean dress on Phoebe every day?
What's-His-Name|George Barr McCutcheon
Phoebe looked at her for a moment longer rather wistfully, and turned away.
Good Indian|B. M. Bower
“Well, I would rather have a character for something better,” said Phoebe.
The Maidens' Lodge|Emily Sarah Holt
We never had but one,” said Phoebe, the quiver coming again into her voice, “and—it died.
The Maidens' Lodge|Emily Sarah Holt

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)

Phoebe

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)

Phoebe

/ (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