noun
Uncommon
fledgling
FLEHJ-lihng
Fledgling (noun) means a young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly. Example: “A fledgling perched nervously on the edge of the nest.”
noun
1
A young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly.
"A fledgling perched nervously on the edge of the nest."
2
A person or organization that is new and still inexperienced.
"The fledgling company struggled to find its first customers."
adj
1
New and still developing; not yet established.
"The fledgling democracy held its first free election."
How to use fledgling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA young bird just learning to fly, or by extension, anything new and still finding its feet.
Common pairings
fledgling business
fledgling democracy
fledgling career
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Word forms
- Plural
- fledglings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ perched nervously on the edge of the nest.
Etymology
From "fledge" ("to grow feathers needed for flight") + the diminutive suffix "-ling."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “fledgling” mean?
The word “fledgling” means a young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly. In plain terms, a young bird just learning to fly, or by extension, anything new and still finding its feet.
How do you pronounce “fledgling”?
“Fledgling” is pronounced FLEHJ-lihng (/ˈflɛd͡ʒ.lɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fledgling” in a sentence?
Here is “fledgling” used in a sentence: “A fledgling perched nervously on the edge of the nest.”
What part of speech is “fledgling”?
Depending on how it is used, “fledgling” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “fledgling” a common word?
“Fledgling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fledgling” have?
“Fledgling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly.
