Skip to main content
merl

merl

1 9.9
A common bird in Europe with all black feathers that sings in gardens
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : mirlo

Examples

  • Named Ceci-Lio and a regular named Merl.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Uh, merl egeberg.

  • The merl sings beautifully at dawn, filling the air with its sweet melodies.

  • While walking in the park, I spotted a merl perched on a branch, catching the sunlight.

  • Every spring, the merl returns to its nesting ground, bringing joy to the garden.

Synonyms

blackbird
vsmerl
  • UK
8 1.0

A common songbird in Europe with black feathers and a yellow beak

is an older word rather than the normal modern name
merle
vsmerl
  • UK
8 9.9

A common black bird in Europe with a yellow beak and a sweet song

is an older word used historically for the same species
Turdus merula
vsmerl
  • Specialized
8.9

A common European songbird with males black and females brown

is an older common word rather than the scientific term
European blackbird
vsmerl
  • UK
3.8

A common bird with a black male and a brown female that sings a beautiful song

is the historical term used earlier for the same species
ousel
vsmerl
  • Archaic
9.9

A black bird that sings, like a blackbird or ring ouzel

is an older name mainly used for that species rather than the broader term
ouzel
vsmerl
  • Archaic
9.9

A bird like a blackbird or dipper that lives in Europe and Asia

is the older name restricted to the single European species rather than a group

Surface Forms

merl singular
merls plural

Etymology

Merl is an old name for the common blackbird. It comes from older words like French merle and Latin merula, which mean 'blackbird', so merl once simply named that shiny, singing bird.