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lovebird

lovebird

46 2.1
A small bright parrot people keep as a pet that forms strong bonds with its mate
  • noun
  • /ˈlʌvˌbɜrd/
translation icon : inseparable
  • In many of these species, courting males display paternal skills: male lovebirds, for example, snatch worms and pretend to feed them to a desired female.
  • two lovebirds
  • a pair of lovebirds
  • lovebirds stay together

Examples

  • The two lovebirds got along perfectly, and Paxton and Gabby were as close as ever.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • At the pet store, she saw a pair of lovebirds nestled together on a perch.

  • Now, you just finish this film, and we'll see about getting you two lovebirds back together.

  • Well, you two lovebirds take it easy, all right?

    Fiction book (1994)
  • How can these two lovebirds end such a beautiful union?

    Blog text (29)
  • I'll leave you two lovebirds alone.

  • So, Mark, Bridget, when are you two lovebirds going to name the day?

  • You know, you two lovebirds stumbled into my nest almost eight years ago to the day.

  • Let's reunite these little lovebirds.

  • I bought two lovebirds.

    Fiction book (1996)

Synonyms

Agapornis
vslovebird
  • Specialized
9.9

A small short-tailed parrot from Africa or Madagascar known as a lovebird

is the common pet description focusing on bright color and affectionate behavior
genus Agapornis
vslovebird
  • Specialized
8.8

A group of small African parrots called lovebirds

emphasizes pet traits like vivid plumage and friendly temperament

Antonyms

34 6.3

Not friendly and distant, not joining in with other people

Not showing love or warm feelings to others

How Big

macaw
7 4.1
cockatoo
11 3.5
cockatiel
2 6.7
conure
  • US
4 8.4
lovebird
46 2.1
budgerigar
1 8.1

Surface Forms

lovebird singular
lovebirds plural

Morphology

lovebird = love + bird (semi-transparent) = love + bird

The compound clearly signals a bird associated with affection, but the specific reference to a small, brightly colored parrot species is a specialized sense not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The word lovebird is simply love ('affection') + bird ('a flying animal'), and it was given to these small parrots because they form very close pairs and often sit together and clean each other's feathers like a loving couple. That's why a lovebird today means a small, brightly colored parrot known for being very affectionate.