raven
Raven (noun) means a large, glossy black bird in the crow family, known for its deep call and intelligence. Example: “A raven perched on the fence post, watching them work.”
How to use raven
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large black crow-like bird, or (as an adjective) a deep glossy black color, usually for hair.
Word forms
ravened past tense, ravens plural, raven plural, ravened plural, ravens singular, raven singular, ravened singular, ravenest singular, ravenedst singular, raveneth singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ perched on the fence post, watching them work.
Etymology
From Old English hræfn, going back to a Proto-Germanic word for the bird, likely imitating its harsh call.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for raven
See all rhymes for raven →Frequently asked questions
What does “raven” mean?
The word “raven” means a large, glossy black bird in the crow family, known for its deep call and intelligence. In plain terms, a large black crow-like bird, or (as an adjective) a deep glossy black color, usually for hair.
How do you pronounce “raven”?
“Raven” is pronounced RAYVN (/ˈɹeɪvən/ in IPA).
How do you use “raven” in a sentence?
Here is “raven” used in a sentence: “A raven perched on the fence post, watching them work.”
What part of speech is “raven”?
Depending on how it is used, “raven” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “raven” come from?
The word “raven” comes from Old English. From Old English hræfn, going back to a Proto-Germanic word for the bird, likely imitating its harsh call.
Is “raven” a common word?
“Raven” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “raven” have?
“Raven” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, glossy black bird in the crow family, known for its deep call and intelligence.
What is the difference between a raven and a crow?
A raven is a large, glossy black bird in the crow family, generally bigger than a common crow, with a deeper, more resonant call and a wedge-shaped tail. Ravens are also noted for particularly strong intelligence and problem-solving ability compared with many other birds.
Why are ravens considered intelligent birds?
Ravens are known within the crow family for notable intelligence, including problem-solving skills and complex behavior, which has made them a frequent subject of study among researchers of animal cognition.