grackle

noun

grack·​le ˈgra-kəl 

1

: any of a genus (Quiscalus of the family Icteridae) of large American blackbirds having iridescent black plumage

2

: any of various Asian starlings (such as the hill mynahs)

Examples of grackle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Large populations of crows, grackles, and starlings appear on your lawn. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 20 May 2026

Safflower seeds also attract a wide variety of birds, with the advantage that squirrels, blue jays, starlings, and grackles do not like this seed. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Except for grackles, pigeons, house sparrows and other annoyingly social types that adore the company of humans, most birds will be found in green spaces far from the SXSW noise and crowds in or near downtown. — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026

When the kestrels were flying nearby, robins, grackles, and starlings were much less likely to visit orchards and eat fruit. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Gracula, genus name, alteration of Latin graculus jackdaw

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grackle

• cackle
• crackle
• hackle
• jackal
• shackle
• tackle
• vakil
• demoniacal
• ramshackle
• tabernacle
• zodiacal

Kids Definition

grackle

noun

grack·​le ˈgrak-əl 

: any of several rather large American blackbirds with glossy mostly black feathers