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Glite Dictionary
gray kingbird

gray kingbird

9.2
A large gray bird that catches insects and lives in the southeastern United States and Caribbean
  • noun
  • /ɡreɪ kɪŋbɜrd/
  • US
translation icon : rey gris
  • The gray kingbird migrates from the southeastern United States to the Caribbean each winter.

Examples

  • Unlike the eastern kingbird, the gray kingbird has a slightly larger body and a heavier bill.

  • We spotted a gray kingbird perched on a wire near the beach.

  • I spotted a gray kingbird in my backyard.

  • The gray kingbirds are often seen near water.

  • The gray kingbird migrates from the southeastern United States to the Caribbean each winter.

  • We spotted a gray kingbird perched on a wire near the beach.

  • Unlike the eastern kingbird, the gray kingbird has a slightly larger body and a heavier bill.

Synonyms

petchary
vsgray kingbird
  • Archaic
9.9

A large kingbird from the southeastern United States that migrates to tropical America

gives distinctive gray color and aggressive behavior as identifying features

Surface Forms

gray kingbird singular
gray kingbirds plural
grey kingbirds plural
grey kingbird singular

Morphology

gray + kingbird

This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'gray' (color) modifies 'kingbird' (a species of flycatcher), so the meaning — a kingbird with gray plumage — is directly derivable from the constituents. The pattern is a standard descriptive construction found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand it.

Etymology

The compound noun gray kingbird is literal: gray describes its color and king refers to how boldly the bird chases away larger birds to protect its space. So the name helps you picture a large gray bird that acts like a little 'king' of its area.