sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈsper-(ˌ)ō 

ˈspa-(ˌ)rō

1

: any of a genus (Passer of the family Passeridae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have been widely introduced

especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (family Passeridae) that are New World birds (such as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows

sparrowlike

ˈsper-(ˌ)ō-ˌlīk 

-ə-ˌlīk;

ˈspa-(ˌ)rō-ˌlīk, 

-rə-ˌlīk

adjective

Examples of sparrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smaller, nondescript sparrows and wrens steered clear rather than risk attack by the larger cardinals. —Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026

These widows were little sparrows and Ma Binney a hawk, her hair long and cloud white with the end of her braid coiled into the breast pocket of her jacket. —Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026

In Southeastern states, house wrens and sparrows, eastern bluebirds, tree swallows, Carolina chickadees, tufted titmice, Carolina wrens, and white-breasted nuthatches use birdhouses. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

In winter, goldfinches, sparrows, and juncos feast on their seeds. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sparow, from Old English spearwa; akin to Old High German sparo sparrow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sparrow

• chipping sparrow
• English sparrow
• grasshopper sparrow
• house sparrow
• song sparrow
• sparrow hawk
• tree sparrow
• white-crowned sparrow
• white-throated sparrow

Rhymes for sparrow

• aero
• faro
• garo
• marrow
• narrow
• pharaoh
• taro
• bolero
• bracero
• estero
• herero
• montero

Kids Definition

sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈspar-ō 

1

: any of several small songbirds that have usually brownish or grayish feathers and are related to the finches

especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (as the song sparrow) that resemble the true sparrows