mockingbird

noun

mock·​ing·​bird ˈmä-kiŋ-ˌbərd 

ˈmȯ-

: a common grayish North American bird (Mimus polyglottos) related to the thrashers that is remarkable for its exact imitations of the notes of other birds

Examples of mockingbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Viburnum species offer berries in hues of red, blue and pink, attracting mockingbirds, robins and catbirds; while American Beautyberry () features bold purple berries loved by cardinals, catbirds and finches. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

At least 60 species of birds, such as cardinals, bluebirds, catbirds, and mockingbirds, dine on the drupes of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025

Vociferous mockingbirds, the avians that most fascinated Darwin. —Robin Catalano, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Unmated male mockingbirds are the most persistent singers, and the only ones who will sing at night. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mockingbird

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword

Kids Definition

mockingbird

noun

mock·​ing·​bird ˈmäk-iŋ-ˌbərd 

ˈmȯk-

: a common grayish North American songbird that is closely related to the catbirds and thrashers and is noted for the sweetness of its song and for its imitations of the notes of other birds