plover
1 synonym for plover, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A plover is any of several wading birds belonging to the subfamily Charadriinae.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
masked lapwing
How to use plover
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ringed plover
golden plover
plover's nest
plover chick
Plover is a standard word used in birdwatching and nature writing rather than everyday conversation.
Etymology
Plover comes down through Middle English from Anglo-Norman, where forms such as plovier were used. Behind that lies a Medieval Latin word, pluviarius, whose origin is debated but may be linked to the Latin word for rain, pluvia.
Full origin of plover →Frequently asked questions
What is a plover?
A plover is a type of wading bird from the subfamily Charadriinae, typically found near water or open ground.
Why might 'plover' be linked to rain?
One suggested origin traces the word back to a Latin root meaning rain, though the exact history is disputed.
What does 'plover' mean in Australia?
In Australian English, plover commonly refers to the masked lapwing, a bird often seen in urban parks.
