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songster

songster

6.7
A bird that makes clear, pleasant sounds
  • noun
  • /ˈsɔŋstər/
translation icon : pájaro cantor
  • The birdwatchers eagerly listened to the songster as it performed its beautiful aria.

Examples

  • The melodious songster filled the garden with sweet sounds every morning.

  • Or we forget how largely these songsters or their eggs or their nestlings are destroyed by birds and beasts of prey.

  • During spring, many songsters return from their migration to sing in the trees.

Synonyms

songbird
vssongster
  • Specialized
17 2.3

A small bird, like a canary, that makes pleasant musical sounds

is the general name for any bird producing melodious song
nightingale
vssongster
  • UK
16 4.4

A small bird that sings beautifully at night

means a musical bird in general, not specifically nocturnal or powerful
lark
vssongster
9 2.8

A small brown bird that sings beautifully

is the general label for birds that produce musical calls
warbler
vssongster
8 5.2

A small active bird that sings many clear notes

is the broader idea of a bird noted for melodic calls
song sparrow
vssongster
  • US
1 3.1

A small North American bird with brown streaked feathers that sings a clear musical song

refers generally to any bird that makes melodious calls
twitterer
vssongster
8.2

A small bird that makes short high musical sounds

focuses on melodic, tuneful singing rather than brief high sounds
tweeter
vssongster
3.0

A small bird that makes short, high sounds

emphasizes continuous melodious vocalizing rather than short sharp calls
chirper
vssongster
4.5

A small animal that makes short high sounds like bird calls

centres on producing musical or melodious vocal sounds rather than chirps

Surface Forms

songster singular
songsters plural

Morphology

songster = song (transparent) = song + ster

The sense 'a bird that sings' extends the agentive meaning ('one who sings') to an animate non-human agent, which remains inferable from the components.

Etymology

Songster can also mean a bird that sings because it comes from song ('singing') plus -ster ('one who does something'), so the word fits a bird known for a musical or beautiful voice.