noun
C2
Proficient
buzzard
BUH-zuhd
Buzzard (noun) means a broad-winged bird of prey in the hawk family. Example: “A buzzard circled slowly above the field.”
noun
1
A broad-winged bird of prey in the hawk family.
"A buzzard circled slowly above the field."
2
US informal: a grumpy or unpleasant old man.
"The old buzzard complained about the noise again."
How to use buzzard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type of hawk-like bird; informally in American English, a cranky old person.
UK vs US
In the UK it almost always refers to the bird; the "grumpy old man" sense is American slang.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like buzzard.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- buzzards
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ circled slowly above the field.
Etymology
From Old French busard, likely from Latin buteo ("hawk").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “buzzard” mean?
The word “buzzard” means a broad-winged bird of prey in the hawk family. In plain terms, a type of hawk-like bird; informally in American English, a cranky old person.
How do you pronounce “buzzard”?
“Buzzard” is pronounced BUH-zuhd (/ˈbʌzɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “buzzard” in a sentence?
Here is “buzzard” used in a sentence: “A buzzard circled slowly above the field.”
What is another word for “buzzard”?
Words with a similar meaning to “buzzard” include buteo, broadwing, turkey vulture and vulture.
What part of speech is “buzzard”?
“Buzzard” is a noun.
Where does the word “buzzard” come from?
The word “buzzard” comes from Latin. From Old French busard, likely from Latin buteo ("hawk").
How many meanings does “buzzard” have?
“Buzzard” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a broad-winged bird of prey in the hawk family.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include buzzard:
