English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun Uncommon

birdie

BUR-dee

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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

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: birdies
Third person singular: birdies
Past tense: birdied

Test yourself on “birdie” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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.

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Synonyms

bird shuttle shuttlecock

Related words

girl woman bus bird chicken chick dame doll

Rhymes for birdie

pie die lie tie sie vie hie i.e. brie movie eerie moxie

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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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