noun
Uncommon
phoebe
FEE-bee
Phoebe (noun) means a small grayish flycatcher bird found in North America, known for its distinctive call. Example: “A phoebe perched on the fence post, flicking its tail.”
noun
1
A small grayish flycatcher bird found in North America, known for its distinctive call.
"A phoebe perched on the fence post, flicking its tail."
name
1
A female given name of Greek origin, meaning "bright" or "shining."
"Ms. Gates, who is named after Phoebe from “The Catcher in the Rye,” grew up in Seattle, the youngest of three."
— Vanessa Friedman, Phoebe Gates, the Daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, Steps Into the Spotlight (2025)
"Her grandmother was also named Phoebe."
How to use phoebe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a small North American bird, or a common girl's name.
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Word forms
- Plural
- phoebes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ perched on the fence post, flicking its tail.
Etymology
The bird's name is imitative of its call, likely influenced by the given name Phoebe, which comes from Ancient Greek phoibe, "bright, shining one" — a title once linked to the moon goddess Selene.
Related words
Rhymes for phoebe
See all rhymes for phoebe →Frequently asked questions
What does “phoebe” mean?
The word “phoebe” means a small grayish flycatcher bird found in North America, known for its distinctive call. In plain terms, either a small North American bird, or a common girl's name.
How do you pronounce “phoebe”?
“Phoebe” is pronounced FEE-bee (/ˈfiːbi/ in IPA).
How do you use “phoebe” in a sentence?
Here is “phoebe” used in a sentence: “A phoebe perched on the fence post, flicking its tail.”
What part of speech is “phoebe”?
Depending on how it is used, “phoebe” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “phoebe” come from?
The word “phoebe” comes from Ancient Greek. The bird's name is imitative of its call, likely influenced by the given name Phoebe, which comes from Ancient Greek phoibe, "bright, shining one" — a title once linked to the moon goddess Selene.
Is “phoebe” a common word?
“Phoebe” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “phoebe” have?
“Phoebe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small grayish flycatcher bird found in North America, known for its distinctive call.
