noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

parrot

PA-ruht

Parrot (noun) means a brightly coloured tropical bird known for its curved beak and ability to mimic human speech. Example: “The parrot squawked "hello" every time someone walked past its cage.”

noun

A brightly coloured tropical bird known for its curved beak and ability to mimic human speech.

"The parrot squawked "hello" every time someone walked past its cage."

"Macaws and cockatoos are both types of parrot."

Someone who repeats what others say without really understanding it.

"He's just a parrot for the party line, with no ideas of his own."

verb

To repeat something word for word without showing any real understanding of it.

"The student simply parroted the textbook instead of explaining it in his own words."

"She parrots whatever the last person she spoke to told her."

How to Use Parrot

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA colourful talking bird, or (as a verb) to repeat something without really understanding it.

Common pairings

parrot fashion parrot someone's words a pet parrot

Word Forms

parroted past tense, parrotted past tense, parrots plural, Parrots plural, parrots singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ squawked "hello" every time someone walked past its cage.

Etymology

First recorded in the 1500s from French perrot, likely a nickname derived from the name Pierre.

Origin: French · First attested 1500

Class of 1500 parrot joined the language around 1500.

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Rhymes for parrot

carrot

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “parrot” mean?

The word “parrot” means a brightly coloured tropical bird known for its curved beak and ability to mimic human speech. In plain terms, a colourful talking bird, or (as a verb) to repeat something without really understanding it.

How do you pronounce “parrot”?

“Parrot” is pronounced PA-ruht (/ˈpæɹət/ in IPA).

How do you use “parrot” in a sentence?

Here is “parrot” used in a sentence: “The parrot squawked "hello" every time someone walked past its cage.”

What part of speech is “parrot”?

Depending on how it is used, “parrot” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “parrot” come from?

The word “parrot” dates back to around 1500 and comes from French. First recorded in the 1500s from French perrot, likely a nickname derived from the name Pierre.

Is “parrot” a common word?

“Parrot” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “parrot” have?

“Parrot” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brightly coloured tropical bird known for its curved beak and ability to mimic human speech.