noun

oriole

OR-ee-ohl

Quiz me More like this

Oriole (noun) means a brightly coloured perching bird belonging either to the New World genus Icterus or the Old World family Oriolidae. Example: “An oriole flashed orange and black as it landed on the feeder.”

noun

A brightly coloured perching bird belonging either to the New World genus Icterus or the Old World family Oriolidae.

"An oriole flashed orange and black as it landed on the feeder."

"The garden was full of orioles singing from the treetops."

"She spotted a golden oriole while walking through the woodland."

How to use oriole

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn oriole is a colourful songbird, often bright orange, black or gold.

When to use it

It is a plain, everyday word used in both casual and ornithological writing.

Memory tip

Oriole and aureole are pronounced alike in some accents, so check context to tell the bird from the halo of light.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

aureole →

Common pairings

a golden oriole an oriole's song

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like oriole.

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

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “oriole” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

An _____ flashed orange and black as it landed on the feeder.

Etymology

The word was borrowed from Middle French oriol, which came from Old French oriol, ultimately from Latin aureolus, a diminutive of aureus meaning golden. It is a doublet of the word aureole, and its first recorded English use dates to around 1776 in the writings of Thomas Pennant.

Origin: Middle French

Rhymes for oriole

ole hole vole mole sole pole cole dole role stole whole Poole

See all rhymes for oriole →

Frequently asked questions

What is an oriole?

An oriole is a brightly coloured passerine bird, either a New World species in the genus Icterus or an Old World species in the family Oriolidae.

Where does the name oriole come from?

It comes from Middle French oriol, tracing back to Latin aureolus, meaning golden, a reference to the bird's bright colouring.

Is oriole related to the word aureole?

Yes, oriole and aureole share the same Latin root, aureus, meaning golden.

What is the meaning of oriole?

"oriole" (noun) means a brightly coloured perching bird belonging either to the New World genus Icterus or the Old World family Oriolidae.