noun
merle
murl
Merle (noun) means the Eurasian blackbird, or loosely, any blackbird. Example: “A merle sang from the hedge every morning at dawn.”
noun
1
The Eurasian blackbird, or loosely, any blackbird.
"A merle sang from the hedge every morning at dawn."
2
A mottled, marbled coat pattern seen in some dog breeds, such as collies and dachshunds.
"The puppy had a striking blue merle coat."
How to use merle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the blackbird, or a mottled coat pattern in dogs.
Common pairings
blue merle
merle coat pattern
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Word forms
- Plural
- merles
Fill the gap
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A _____ sang from the hedge every morning at dawn.
Etymology
From Old French merle, from Latin merula, "blackbird."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “merle” mean?
The word “merle” means the Eurasian blackbird, or loosely, any blackbird. In plain terms, either the blackbird, or a mottled coat pattern in dogs.
How do you pronounce “merle”?
“Merle” is pronounced murl (/mɝl/ in IPA).
How do you use “merle” in a sentence?
Here is “merle” used in a sentence: “A merle sang from the hedge every morning at dawn.”
What part of speech is “merle”?
“Merle” is a noun.
Where does the word “merle” come from?
The word “merle” comes from Latin. From Old French merle, from Latin merula, "blackbird.".
How many meanings does “merle” have?
“Merle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Eurasian blackbird, or loosely, any blackbird.
