noun
Uncommon
raven
RAYVN
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.”
noun
1
A large, glossy black bird in the crow family, known for its deep call and intelligence.
"A raven perched on the fence post, watching them work."
"The raven croaked loudly from the top of the old oak tree."
"We saw a raven pull at a crust of bread on the car park wall."
adjective
1
Deep glossy black, like a raven's feathers — usually describing hair.
"She had long, raven hair that shone in the sunlight."
"The villain in the play wore a cloak and had raven curls."
"Her raven fringe fell across her eyes as she leaned over the book."
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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
raven hair
raven black
a raven's call
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Word forms
- Plural
- ravens
- Third person singular
- ravens
- Past tense
- ravened
- Archaic forms
- ravenest, ravenedst, raveneth
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
View more →
jet-black
ebony
Antonyms
Related words
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.
