robin

[ rob-in ]

/ ˈrɒb ɪn /

noun

any of several small Old World birds having a red or reddish breast, especially Erithacus rubecula, of Europe.

a large American thrush, Turdus migratorius, having a chestnut-red breast and abdomen.

any of several similar thrushes of the New World tropics, not necessarily having reddish underparts, as T. grayi (clay-colored robin), of Mexico and Central America.

Origin of robin

First recorded in 1540–50; short for robin redbreast

Also called robin redbreast (for defs 1, 2).

Definition for robin (2 of 2)

Robin

[ rob-in ]

/ ˈrɒb ɪn /

noun

a male or female given name: derived from Robert.

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

Examples from the Web for robin

“Robin had us blubbing with laughter all the way through one dinner,” Gilkes recalls.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty|Tim Teeman|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Enquirer story was written by Robin Mizrahi, who interviewed Ferrier and had arranged for her to take a lie detector test.
How Bill Cosby Allegedly Silenced His Accusers Through A Tabloid Smear Campaign|Marlow Stern|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Robin Williams and Nathan Lane play lovers—life partners, really.
Out of the Birdcage: How Mike Nichols Made Gay Culture Mainstream|Kevin Fallon|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Another memorable, if not disastrous, misstep, of course, was his turn as Batman in Batman and Robin.
Clooney: A Constant Charmer at the Altar|Tim Teeman|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I know Robin recently said of you, “I was convinced we were going to be married.”
Cary Elwes, aka Westley, Shares Inconceivable Tales From the Making of ‘The Princess Bride’|Marlow Stern|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She started back when she beheld Robin, and again thought that some evil genius had determined to oppose her wherever she went.
The History of Margaret Catchpole|Richard Cobbold
"These men are mine," said Robin Hood, feeling that his time to laugh was come at last.
Robin Hood|J. Walker McSpadden
When Kate went to her own chamber, a robin on a spray of sweet-briar was singing at her window.
I, Thou, and the Other One|Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
Take such a speech as Robin's: 'Why be they deade that be drownd?
Pastoral Poetry and Pastoral Drama|Walter W. Greg
What a small bundle of contentment Robin was at that moment.
In the Wilderness|Robert Hichens

British Dictionary definitions for robin

robin

/ (ˈrɒbɪn) /

noun

Also called: robin redbreast a small Old World songbird, Erithacus rubecula, related to the thrushes: family Muscicapidae . The male has a brown back, orange-red breast and face, and grey underparts

a North American thrush, Turdus migratorius, similar to but larger than the Old World robin

any of various similar birds having a reddish breast

Word Origin for robin

C16: arbitrary use of given name

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

Word Origin and History for robin (1 of 2)

robin

common European songbird, 1540s, shortening of Robin Redbreast (mid-15c.), from masc. personal name Robin. It ousted the native ruddock. In North America, the name was applied to the red-breasted thrush by 1703. Robin's egg as a shade of blue is attested from 1881.

Word Origin and History for robin (1 of 2)

Robin

masc. proper name, from Old French Robin, diminutive of Robert (q.v.). Robin Goodfellow "sportive elf of the English countryside," is first attested 1530s, popular 16-17c.; Robin Hood is at least from late 14c.

robin

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of robin

Definition for robin (2 of 2)

Robin

noun

Examples from the Web for robin

British Dictionary definitions for robin

robin

noun

Word Origin for robin

Word Origin and History for robin (1 of 2)

robin

Word Origin and History for robin (1 of 2)

Robin