What does parakeet mean?
A parakeet is a small to medium-sized parrot, most often recognized by its long, tapered tail and, in many familiar species, vivid green plumage. The word is sometimes used loosely for the budgerigar, the small Australian parrot widely kept as a pet, but it also includes other members of the parrot family, such as the rose-ringed parakeet. In everyday American English, “parakeet” may be particularly associated with pet budgies, while in Britain it is also familiar as a name for conspicuous green flocks living around cities. The term belongs to both formal zoological description and ordinary speech. Budgerigar and conure are related labels, but neither is a complete synonym: a budgerigar is one specific parakeet, and conure refers more narrowly to a group of primarily American parrots.
nounA parakeet is any of various small to medium-sized parrots with a long, often tapered tail. The term is sometimes used especially for the budgerigar and for introduced green parrots such as the rose-ringed parakeet.
- Any of various small to medium-sized parrots, particularly those with long pointed tails.
- In some regional usage, specifically the budgerigar or a similar small domestic parrot.
"A bright green parakeet perched on the window and whistled at the passers-by."
"The family kept a noisy parakeet in a cage on the back porch."
"A flock of introduced parakeets has become established in several British cities."
The regular plural is formed by adding -s.
"Several parakeets called from the trees in the garden."
A parakeet is not merely another name for a budgie: the word can refer to a whole varied family of long-tailed parrots.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does parakeet come from?
The modern English word came through French perruche, and early English forms included spellings such as periet and parrakeet. The word is traditionally linked to Spanish perico and Portuguese periquito, although the deeper origin of those forms is disputed. Over time, the English name was applied to various smaller parrots, especially those distinguished by long tails.
How parakeet is actually used
In everyday American English, parakeet is often used for the budgerigar, although the term also covers other long-tailed parrots. British and Australian usage commonly applies it to green introduced species such as the rose-ringed parakeet. Conure is related but more specifically denotes parrots found mainly in the Americas.
Easily confused with parakeet
A parrot is a broad term for members of the parrot order, while a parakeet is a more specific term commonly used for smaller, long-tailed parrots.
A budgerigar is a small domesticated parakeet, but the term parakeet can also refer to several other species, including the rose-ringed parakeet.