jay
8 synonyms for jay, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Any of several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, known for their crests.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Jenny jay
jay pie
k
kae
bluejay
whisky jack
Etymology
From Old French "jai," possibly linked to a word meaning "quick" or "sudden," inspired by the bird's lively plumage and behaviour.
Full origin of jay →Frequently asked questions
What does “jay” mean?
The word “jay” means any of several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, known for their crests. In plain terms, mainly the colourful crow-family bird; also slang for a joint.
How do you pronounce “jay”?
“Jay” is pronounced JAY (/ˈd͡ʒeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “jay” in a sentence?
Here is “jay” used in a sentence: “A blue jay landed on the fence and screeched.”
What is another word for “jay”?
Words with a similar meaning to “jay” include Jenny jay, jay pie, k, kae, bluejay and whisky jack.
What part of speech is “jay”?
“Jay” is a noun.
Where does the word “jay” come from?
The word “jay” comes from Old French. From Old French "jai," possibly linked to a word meaning "quick" or "sudden," inspired by the bird's lively plumage and behaviour.
Is “jay” a common word?
“Jay” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “jay” have?
“Jay” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, known for their crests.
What is the difference between a jay and a blue jay?
Jay is the general name for several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, many of which have distinctive crests. The blue jay is one particular North American species of jay. So every blue jay is a jay, but not every jay is a blue jay.
Is a jay related to crows?
Yes. Jays belong to the same family as crows, ravens, and magpies, and they share that family's intelligence and loud, harsh calls. Unlike most crows, however, jays are typically brightly coloured.
