What does thrush mean?
Thrush is an English noun with two familiar senses. In its most traditional use, it names a group of melodious songbirds, including the familiar song thrush and the larger, spotted mistle thrush. These birds are associated with repeated, clear phrases and are often heard in gardens and woodland. In medicine, thrush names a Candida-related infection, especially in the mouth or throat, where it can produce white patches and soreness; the same infection may also affect other parts of the body. The word is useful because it links a recognizable garden bird with a common medical condition without requiring additional context in either setting. When the meaning might otherwise be unclear, words such as oral, vaginal, bird, or species can specify the intended sense. Its brevity and dual reference make it a particularly distinctive entry in everyday vocabulary.
nounA thrush is any of several songbirds in the family Turdidae, especially members of the genus Turdus. In medicine, thrush is a fungal infection, most commonly affecting the mouth or throat, that causes creamy white patches and soreness.
- Any of various songbirds of the thrush family, especially those in the genus Turdus, such as the song thrush and mistle thrush.
- A fungal infection, usually of the mouth or throat, caused by Candida and characterized by white patches, soreness, and difficulty eating.
"A song thrush sang from the top of the old apple tree while the first light entered the garden."
"The thrush returned to the feeder each morning, its repeated phrases marking the beginning of the day."
"The doctor diagnosed oral thrush and recommended an antifungal treatment for the sore mouth."
The standard plural is thrushes.
"Several thrushes gathered around the fallen berries."
A thrush's liquid, flute-like song is so distinctive that it can help identify the bird long before its markings come into view.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thrush come from?
The English word for the bird comes from Old English þrysc, an inherited Germanic name for a thrush-like bird; throstle is a related traditional form. The medical sense is a later development of the same English word. The modern spelling has remained stable while the word acquired a separate clinical meaning for a Candida infection.
Related word forms
How thrush is actually used
The word is neutral in ordinary use. In medical contexts, it is usually formal and may stand alone for a candidal infection, especially when oral involvement is understood; specifying the affected site can make the meaning clearer.
Easily confused with thrush
A thrush is a bird or a fungal infection, whereas to thresh means to separate grain from stalks by beating or processing it.
A thrush is a bird or an infection, while a thistle is a prickly plant with purple or white flower heads.