Synonyms

songbird

American

[sawng-burd, song-] / ˈsɔŋˌbɜrd, ˈsɒŋ- /

noun

a bird that sings.
any passerine bird of the suborder Oscines.
Slang. a woman vocalist.

songbird British

/ ˈsɒŋˌbɜːd /

noun

any passerine bird of the suborder Oscines, having highly developed vocal organs and, in most, a musical call
any bird having a musical call

"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

Etymology

Origin of songbird

First recorded in 1765–75; song + bird

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.

For example, researchers can randomly assign plots of forest to receive nest boxes in order to test whether they help songbird populations grow.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

The research focused on the Seychelles warbler, a small songbird that lives on Cousin Island in the Seychelles.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

We were told we would be able to buy a wild songbird in a small park just off the path.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

A philosopher, historian, songbird of grief and prophet, Didion foretold the city’s future with startling accuracy.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

Pop Pop says he got it special for me because I’m his little songbird.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023