noun

parrot

PA-ruht

noun

A brightly coloured tropical bird known for its curved beak and ability to mimic human speech.

"The parrot squawked "hello" every time someone walked past its cage."

"Macaws and cockatoos are both types of parrot."

Someone who repeats what others say without really understanding it.

"He's just a parrot for the party line, with no ideas of his own."

verb

To repeat something word for word without showing any real understanding of it.

"The student simply parroted the textbook instead of explaining it in his own words."

"She parrots whatever the last person she spoke to told her."

How to Use Parrot

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA colourful talking bird, or (as a verb) to repeat something without really understanding it.

Common pairings

parrot fashion parrot someone's words a pet parrot

parroted past tense, parrotted past tense, parrots plural, Parrots plural, parrots singular

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The _____ squawked "hello" every time someone walked past its cage.

First recorded in the 1500s from French perrot, likely a nickname derived from the name Pierre.

carrot