What does oriole mean?
An oriole is a small or medium-sized songbird belonging either to the Old World family Oriolidae or to the New World family Icteridae. The term covers birds of separate families that share the familiar name because of similarities in appearance and behavior, especially their fondness for fruit and their distinctive songs. In ordinary English, it most often evokes striking yellow-and-black birds such as the golden oriole of Europe and the Baltimore oriole of North America. Male birds are often more vividly colored than females. In the relatively rare heraldic sense, an oriole is a small eagle-like charge. The word is neutral and familiar rather than technical, but precise naming matters because many species carry the name without belonging to a single biological family. It is especially useful when discussing the golden oriole's migratory habits, the Baltimore oriole's symbolic associations, or the visual distinctions among related New World species.
nounA small or medium-sized songbird of the Old World family Oriolidae or the New World family Icteridae, many of which have yellow or orange plumage. In heraldry, an oriole is a small eagle-like charge.
- Any songbird belonging to the Old World family Oriolidae or the New World family Icteridae.
- In heraldry, a small eagle-like charge.
"The male oriole flashed bright yellow against the branches of the oak."
"A golden oriole landed on the garden fence and sang for several minutes."
"The ornithologist identified the bird as an orchard oriole by its coloring and song."
Use orioles for multiple birds or for multiple species within the group.
"Several orioles nested in the trees surrounding the meadow."
Oriole means "golden" in origin, a fitting name for a bird whose bright yellow plumage can light up a tree.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does oriole come from?
The English word came through Old French oriol from Medieval Latin aureolus, a diminutive meaning "golden" derived from Latin aureus, meaning "golden." Its association with the bird reflects the conspicuous yellow or golden plumage found in many orioles. Latin aureus also underlies cognates such as aurate and aureole, while the related root aurum, meaning "gold," appears in auriferous.
How oriole is actually used
This is a general, nontechnical word in ordinary English. Specialist heraldic writing may use its rarer sense of a small eagle-like charge.
Easily confused with oriole
An oriole is a bird, whereas an oriel is a projecting bay window.