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Glite Dictionary
European swift

European swift

5.7
A common fast bird with long, narrow wings and a high, piercing call that nests under roof edges
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : vencejo europeo
  • We found a European swift nesting beneath the eaves of our old house.

Examples

  • A European swift can be identified by its long, scythe-shaped wings and piercing call.

  • From early summer, European swift flocks fill the air above the city.

  • The European swift is known for its incredible speed.

  • Many European swifts nest in urban areas.

  • A European swift can be identified by its long, scythe-shaped wings and piercing call.

  • We found a European swift nesting beneath the eaves of our old house.

  • Many European swifts nest in urban areas.

Synonyms

Apus apus
vsEuropean swift
  • Specialized
9.9

A small dark bird with long wings that flies fast and nests under roofs and cliffs

is the common name used in everyday speech

Surface Forms

European swift singular
European swifts plural

Morphology

European + swift

The phrase 'European swift' is directly compositional: 'European' specifies geographic origin and 'swift' names the bird, so a learner who knows both words can infer it means a swift found in Europe. This simple adjective + noun pattern is cross‑linguistically common and not idiomatic, making the meaning immediately deducible for a B1 learner.

Etymology

European swift is named for the bird's speed and where it lives: swift shows the bird is 'fast' and spends most of its life in the air, and European means it is 'found in Europe'. So the name helps you picture a very quick bird often seen flying near houses and cliffs.