fledged
Americanadjective
-
having the plumage or feathers necessary for flight.
-
having the characteristics of maturity.
Etymology
Origin of fledged
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The charity's reserve's officer Paul Waterhouse explained the new pair, Blue 717 and her mate Blue 476, had only fledged one chick last year, which was normal among less-experienced ospreys.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
Once their cores become hot and dense enough, hydrogen fusion will ignite, transforming them into fully fledged stars.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026
“I was hoping they hadn’t fledged yet because they’re getting close. That’s an exciting time,” said Audrey Pope, of Santa Ana, who was with her husband, Brian.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
As a recently fledged bird hops around on the ground, unfamiliar choughs swoop down and gently herd it away to join them—that’s how desperate these birds are for helpers.
From Slate ● May 10, 2026
“I feared the crows and jays who wait on my mother would have long ago pitched you from their nest, but you are safely fledged, I see,” he said teasingly.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
