noun

talon

TA-luhn

Talon (noun) means a sharp, curved claw belonging to a bird of prey or other predator. Example: “The eagle snatched the fish with its talons.”

noun

A sharp, curved claw belonging to a bird of prey or other predator.

"The eagle snatched the fish with its talons."

"The cat's talons left scratches on the door."

How to use talon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sharp claw, especially on a bird of prey like an eagle or hawk.

Common pairings

sharp talons sink its talons into

Word forms

talons plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The eagle snatched the fish with its _____.

Etymology

From Old French talon, meaning "heel" or "spur," ultimately from Latin talus, meaning "ankle."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for talon

salon Avalon

See all rhymes for talon →

Frequently asked questions

What does “talon” mean?

The word “talon” means a sharp, curved claw belonging to a bird of prey or other predator. In plain terms, a sharp claw, especially on a bird of prey like an eagle or hawk.

How do you pronounce “talon”?

“Talon” is pronounced TA-luhn (/ˈtælən/ in IPA).

How do you use “talon” in a sentence?

Here is “talon” used in a sentence: “The eagle snatched the fish with its talons.”

What part of speech is “talon”?

“Talon” is a noun.

Where does the word “talon” come from?

The word “talon” comes from Latin. From Old French talon, meaning "heel" or "spur," ultimately from Latin talus, meaning "ankle.".