To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of chuck-will's-widow
: a nightjar (Caprimulgus carolinensis) of the southeastern U.S.
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share chuck-will's-widow
Time Traveler for chuck-will's-widow
The first known use of chuck-will's-widow was in 1791
See more words from the same year