roadrunner
2 synonyms for roadrunner, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A fast-running, ground-dwelling bird of the cuckoo family, native to North and Central America.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
chaparral bird
paisano
How to use roadrunner
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a roadrunner sprints
spot a roadrunner
the greater roadrunner
This is an everyday, informal name for the bird, not a formal scientific term.
Etymology
Roadrunner is built from road and runner, and is thought to translate the Spanish name correcaminos, itself formed from correr, meaning to run, and caminos, meaning roads.
Full origin of roadrunner →Frequently asked questions
What kind of bird is a roadrunner?
It is a ground-dwelling member of the cuckoo family found across North and Central America.
Can roadrunners fly?
They can fly short distances but are far better known for running quickly on the ground.
Why is it called a roadrunner?
The name describes its habit of running fast along open ground, and likely echoes the Spanish name correcaminos.
