oriole

What is another word for oriole? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — A brightly coloured perching bird belonging either to the New World genus Icterus or the Old World family Oriolidae.

We haven't recorded synonyms for oriole yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use oriole

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a golden oriole an oriole's song

It is a plain, everyday word used in both casual and ornithological writing.

Etymology

The word was borrowed from Middle French oriol, which came from Old French oriol, ultimately from Latin aureolus, a diminutive of aureus meaning golden. It is a doublet of the word aureole, and its first recorded English use dates to around 1776 in the writings of Thomas Pennant.

Full origin of oriole →

Frequently asked questions

What is an oriole?

An oriole is a brightly coloured passerine bird, either a New World species in the genus Icterus or an Old World species in the family Oriolidae.

Where does the name oriole come from?

It comes from Middle French oriol, tracing back to Latin aureolus, meaning golden, a reference to the bird's bright colouring.

Is oriole related to the word aureole?

Yes, oriole and aureole share the same Latin root, aureus, meaning golden.

Nearby words

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