parrot

1 of 2

noun

par·​rot ˈper-ət 

ˈpa-rət

1

: any of numerous widely distributed tropical birds (order Psittaciformes and especially family Psittacidae) that are often crested and brightly colored, have a distinctive stout hooked bill and zygodactyl feet, and include some excellent mimics

2

: a person who sedulously echoes another's words

parrot adjective

parrot

2 of 2

verb

parroted; parroting; parrots

transitive verb

: to repeat by rote

Synonyms of parrot

Verb

• echo
• repeat
• quote

Examples of parrot in a Sentence

Verb

Some of the students were just parroting what the teacher said.

the toddler parroted everything her father said, often to the latter's embarrassment

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The karure finished at the top of the pecking order with more than 25,000 votes, beating previous winners the kākāpō, a large flightless parrot, and the kārearea, or New Zealand falcon, into second and third place, respectively. — Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

First, pink parrot prints just up against green and gold panelling. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

Queries on broad issues such as foreign affairs and governance triggered the models to present answers that parrot Chinese state media. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026

Eighty years of evidence, much of it the party’s own, shows cadres parroting the scripts given to them, performing the required contrition, and then reverting to their earlier behaviors the moment the campaign ends. — Andrew Mertha, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably modification of Middle French perroquet

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing parrot

• parrot-fashion
• parrot fever
• parrot fish

Rhymes for parrot

• buret
• carat
• ferret
• garret
• karat
• merit
• demerit
• inherit
• preterit
• disinherit

Kids Definition

parrot

1 of 2 noun

par·​rot ˈpar-ət 

1

: any of numerous usually brightly colored tropical birds marked by a strong hooked bill, by toes arranged in pairs with two in front and two behind, and often by the ability to mimic speech

2

: a person who repeats the words of others without understanding what they mean

parrot

2 of 2 verb

: to repeat words like a parrot