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noun Uncommon

birdie

BUR-dee

Birdie (noun) means a golf score of one stroke under par on a hole. Example: “She sank a putt for a birdie on the ninth hole.”

noun
1
A golf score of one stroke under par on a hole.
"She sank a putt for a birdie on the ninth hole."
2
(informal, especially child-directed) A small or cute bird.
"Look at the little birdie on the fence!"
3
The feathered projectile used in badminton; a shuttlecock.
"The birdie flew just over the net."
verb
1
To score one stroke under par on a golf hole.
"He birdied the final hole to win the match."

How to use birdie

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGolf: one under par on a hole. Everyday use: a cute or small bird, or a badminton shuttlecock.

Common pairings
score a birdie birdie putt

Word forms

birdied past tense, birdies plural, birdies singular

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She sank a putt for a _____ on the ninth hole.

Etymology

A diminutive of "bird," with the golf sense dating to early 1900s American slang for a particularly good shot.

· First attested 1900

Class of 1900 birdie joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →

Related words

Rhymes for birdie

See all rhymes for birdie →

Frequently asked questions

What does “birdie” mean?

The word “birdie” means a golf score of one stroke under par on a hole. In plain terms, golf: one under par on a hole. Everyday use: a cute or small bird, or a badminton shuttlecock.

How do you pronounce “birdie”?

“Birdie” is pronounced BUR-dee (/ˈbɝ.di/ in IPA).

How do you use “birdie” in a sentence?

Here is “birdie” used in a sentence: “She sank a putt for a birdie on the ninth hole.”

What part of speech is “birdie”?

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

Where does the word “birdie” come from?

The word “birdie” dates back to around 1900. A diminutive of "bird," with the golf sense dating to early 1900s American slang for a particularly good shot.

Is “birdie” a common word?

“Birdie” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “birdie” have?

“Birdie” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a golf score of one stroke under par on a hole.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial