What does sparrow mean?
A sparrow is a small songbird, most commonly the house sparrow, Passer domesticus, a species closely associated with villages, farms, gardens, and other human settlements. It is generally recognizable by its compact body, short bill, and brown, gray, buff, or streaked plumage, though the exact colouring varies between males, females, juveniles, and regional populations. Sparrows communicate through chirps and other short calls, and they feed mainly on seeds, grains, insects, and other readily available food. The word often carries a warm, ordinary, and nostalgic association, appearing in descriptions of gardens, countryside scenes, and children’s encounters with wildlife. “House sparrow” and “tree sparrow” are common specific collocations. The broader term should not be confused with the sparrowhawk, a predatory bird that may hunt sparrows but is a quite different kind of animal.
nounA small, common songbird with a brownish or gray back and a stout, conical bill. The familiar house sparrow is widely associated with human settlements, although several closely related species occur in different parts of the world.
- A small songbird of the family Passeridae, especially the common house sparrow, Passer domesticus.
"A sparrow landed on the garden fence and began searching for crumbs."
"The sparrow hopped across the pavement, looking for food."
"In rural areas, sparrowhawks may be seen circling above fields and gardens."
The plural is formed by adding -s and is used for multiple sparrows or different kinds of sparrow.
"A flock of sparrows gathered near the feeder."
The familiar sparrow thrives around human homes, making it one of the most widely distributed birds on Earth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sparrow come from?
The English word comes from Old English sparwa, the native Old English name for the bird. It belongs to a Germanic word family represented by related forms such as Dutch spar and German Sperling. The compound sparrowhawk developed from the same word, combining the bird’s name with a reference to the hawk that preys upon small birds. The deeper prehistoric origin of the Germanic form is not entirely certain.
How sparrow is actually used
Usually refers to the house sparrow in general speech; when precision matters, the species can be identified as the house sparrow or tree sparrow. The word is informal and familiar in tone.
Easily confused with sparrow
A sparrow is the small songbird itself, whereas a sparrowhawk is a bird of prey that hunts small birds, including sparrows.