fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

often attributive

1

: a young bird just fledged (see fledge sense 1)

a bird feeding her fledglings

2

: an immature or inexperienced person

fledgling medical students

3

: one that is new

a fledgling company

Synonyms of fledgling

• novice
• newcomer
• beginner
• apprentice
• freshman
• rookie

Examples of fledgling in a Sentence

a female bird feeding her fledglings

at hockey he's still a fledgling and needs to work on his basic skating skills

Recent Examples on the Web

The company alleges OpenAI leveraged the insider knowledge of its ex-employees to build up its fledgling hardware division. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Zao Asian Grill is the latest chain to join the fledgling dining and retail district, which is located at the corner of State Street (Idaho 44) and Edgewood Lane. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

There’s a lot of bad crowd work out there, just like there is bad anything else — fledgling or whatever rookie stuff. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Over the next six decades, Dan Tana’s transformed from a fledgling eatery to a buzzing restaurant to, eventually, an institution. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

1

: a young bird just fledged

2

: an immature or inexperienced person