noun
shrike
SHRIKE
Shrike (noun) means a songbird of the family Laniidae that hunts small animals and hangs its leftovers on thorns. Example: “The shrike left a beetle stuck on a thorn of the hedge.”
noun
1
A songbird of the family Laniidae that hunts small animals and hangs its leftovers on thorns.
"The shrike left a beetle stuck on a thorn of the hedge."
"A shrike sat on the wire, watching the field below."
"Shrikes are sometimes called butcherbirds because of how they store their prey."
How to use shrike
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small bird that spikes its prey on thorns.
When to use it
It is a neutral word, used in birdwatching and natural history.
Memory tip
Shrike rhymes with bike, whereas shriek rhymes with speak, though the two words share a root.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
red-backed shrike
great grey shrike
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The _____ left a beetle stuck on a thorn of the hedge.
Etymology
Shrike comes from a Middle English form that descends from Old English sċrīc, a word for the shrike or a thrush. It shares a root with shriek and screech and was named after the bird's cry.
Synonyms
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butcherbird
Rhymes for shrike
See all rhymes for shrike →Frequently asked questions
What is a shrike?
A shrike is a passerine bird of the family Laniidae. It is known for impaling the uneaten parts of its prey on thorns.
Why is a shrike called a butcherbird?
Butcherbird is another name for the shrike, and it refers to the bird's habit of impaling its prey on thorns.
Where does the word shrike come from?
It comes from Old English sċrīc and shares a root with shriek and screech, so it is named after the bird's cry.
What is the meaning of shrike?
"shrike" (noun) means a songbird of the family Laniidae that hunts small animals and hangs its leftovers on thorns.
