vireo

American  

[vir-ee-oh] / ˈvɪr iˌoʊ /

noun

vireos plural

1. any of several small, insectivorous American birds of the family Vireonidae, having the plumage usually olive-green or gray above and white or yellow below.

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vireo British  

/ ˈvɪrɪəʊ /

noun

1. any insectivorous American songbird of the family Vireonidae, esp those of the genus Vireo, having an olive-grey back with pale underparts

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vireos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vireo

1825–35; < New Latin; Latin vireō (Pliny), probably the greenfinch, derivative of virēre to be green

Example Sentences

I noticed that many of your previous papers cover the gray vireo, which your new study quantifies as a “drab,” understudied bird.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2025

Once teetering on extinction, the least Bell’s vireo is making a comeback in areas along the Los Angeles River, including a bustling park in northeast L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2024

BlusterOne, depicted a blue-headed vireo and two northern parulas.

From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2022

The song that Gary made the recording of did sound a bit like a bird called a brown-capped vireo.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2021

Robin Hood was only too ready to eat anything and everything, but the tiny vireo, though calling piteously for food, turned his bill away in sore disappointment from our various offerings.

From Sigurd Our Golden Collie and Other Comrades of the Road by Bates, Katharine Lee