Did you know?
What makes up a bevy?
There’s no need to quail when confronted with a word of uncertain origins; some mysteries are simply destined to remain as such. Etymologists have a bevy of theories about the roots of bevy, for example, but little definitive evidence—and that’s okay! What we do know is that bevy emerged out of Middle English as the collective noun for a number of birds and mammals that were commonly hunted, including pheasants, partridges, roe deer, larks, and especially quail. Bevy is still used in this way today, not only for wild game but for gulls, hens, etc. But bevies are now most often composed of a great many people and things, as in “a bevy of reporters” or “a bevy of menu options.”
Examples of bevy in a Sentence
Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 13 June 2026
The payoff was a bevy of remarkable oil and pencil sketches (a stunning oil study can be seen in the Olana exhibition) as well as paintings.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
The home run also came with a bevy of historical accomplishments for Eldridge.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs drew a bevy of celebrities to Madison Square Garden on June 10.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bevy
Cite this Entry
“Bevy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bevy. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
