noun
Common
jay
JAY
Jay (noun) means any of several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, known for their crests. Example: “A blue jay landed on the fence and screeched.”
noun
1
Any of several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, known for their crests.
"A blue jay landed on the fence and screeched."
"A jay hid acorns in the grass before flying noisily into the oak."
"The jay's bright blue feathers stood out against the grey winter sky."
2
Slang: a marijuana cigarette; a joint.
"They passed a jay around the campfire."
3
Dated: a foolish or gullible person.
"Only a real jay would fall for that trick."
"Don't be such a jay; check the price before you hand over any money."
"They thought him a jay for believing every tall tale he heard."
How to use jay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMainly the colourful crow-family bird; also slang for a joint.
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Word forms
- Plural
- jays
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A blue _____ landed on the fence and screeched.
Etymology
From Old French "jai," possibly linked to a word meaning "quick" or "sudden," inspired by the bird's lively plumage and behaviour.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for jay
See all rhymes for jay →Frequently asked questions
What does “jay” mean?
The word “jay” means any of several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, known for their crests. In plain terms, mainly the colourful crow-family bird; also slang for a joint.
How do you pronounce “jay”?
“Jay” is pronounced JAY (/ˈd͡ʒeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “jay” in a sentence?
Here is “jay” used in a sentence: “A blue jay landed on the fence and screeched.”
What is another word for “jay”?
Words with a similar meaning to “jay” include Jenny jay, jay pie, k, kae, bluejay and whisky jack.
What part of speech is “jay”?
“Jay” is a noun.
Where does the word “jay” come from?
The word “jay” comes from Old French. From Old French "jai," possibly linked to a word meaning "quick" or "sudden," inspired by the bird's lively plumage and behaviour.
Is “jay” a common word?
“Jay” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “jay” have?
“Jay” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, known for their crests.
What is the difference between a jay and a blue jay?
Jay is the general name for several brightly coloured, noisy birds related to crows, many of which have distinctive crests. The blue jay is one particular North American species of jay. So every blue jay is a jay, but not every jay is a blue jay.
Is a jay related to crows?
Yes. Jays belong to the same family as crows, ravens, and magpies, and they share that family's intelligence and loud, harsh calls. Unlike most crows, however, jays are typically brightly coloured.
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