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Glite Dictionary
pine finch

pine finch

9.2
A small finch that lives in pine forests and eats seeds
  • noun
  • /paɪn fɪnʧ/
  • US
translation icon : pinzón pino
  • We spotted a flock of pine finches feeding on sunflower seeds in the backyard.

Examples

  • The pine finch is often confused with other finches due to its streaked plumage.

  • A pine finch perched on the branch, blending in with the evergreen needles.

  • Look at that pine finch!

  • I spotted a pine finch in the tree.

  • A pine finch perched on the branch, blending in with the evergreen needles.

  • We spotted a flock of pine finches feeding on sunflower seeds in the backyard.

  • The pine finch is often confused with other finches due to its streaked plumage.

Synonyms

Spinus pinus
vspine finch
  • Specialized
9.9

A small striped finch that lives in pine forests in North America

is the common English name rather than the Latin scientific label
pine siskin
vspine finch
  • US
9.1

A small brown striped bird with some yellow on its wings that often lives near pine trees

is a simple species identification rather than a description of appearance

Surface Forms

pine finch singular
pine finches plural

Morphology

pine + finch

The noun is a straightforward compound of 'pine' (a coniferous tree) and 'finch' (a small songbird), so the meaning 'a finch associated with pine trees' can be directly inferred from the constituents. This type of compositional noun formation is common and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Pine finch comes from a simple picture: a small finch that lives in pine trees and eats their seeds. So the name tells you it is 'a small finch of pine forests' today.