noun
chaffinch
CHAF-inch
Chaffinch (noun) means a small songbird of the finch family, found across Europe and eastwards to Iran. Example: “A chaffinch landed on the garden fence.”
noun
1
A small songbird of the finch family, found across Europe and eastwards to Iran.
"A chaffinch landed on the garden fence."
"The chaffinch is one of the birds you can see on a walk in many European woods."
"She put out seed and a chaffinch was the first to arrive."
How to use chaffinch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small European finch.
When to use it
It is an everyday word for a common bird, used in ordinary speech and birdwatching.
Common pairings
male chaffinch
chaffinch song
a flock of chaffinches
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A _____ landed on the garden fence.
Etymology
The word comes from Middle English chaffynch, made up of chaff and finch. A more recent suggestion is that the first part may instead be related to old English words for ornamented, giving the sense of a colourful finch.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chaffinch?
A chaffinch is a small bird of the finch family, known scientifically as Fringilla coelebs.
Where do chaffinches live?
They live across most of Europe, stretching east as far as Iran and the coasts of the eastern Mediterranean.
How do you pronounce chaffinch?
It is pronounced CHAF-inch, with the stress on the first syllable.
What is the meaning of chaffinch?
"chaffinch" (noun) means a small songbird of the finch family, found across Europe and eastwards to Iran.
