tanager

noun

tan·​a·​ger ˈta-ni-jər 

: any of numerous chiefly tropical American oscine birds (family Thraupidae) that are often brightly colored and inhabit mostly woodlands compare scarlet tanager

Examples of tanager in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Orioles and tanagers flash through city trees. —Anna Lello-Smith, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026

Drizzly, overcast conditions bring the forests to life, with species like the gold-ringed tanager drawing enthusiasts from around the world. —Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 3 May 2026

Knowledgeable staff rush to dig out books on native fauna from the 2,500-volume library, and housekeepers drop their brooms to point out a sayaca tanager’s nest or an earpod tree. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026

Warblers, thrushes, tanagers, and orioles arrive in quick succession. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin tanagra, modification of Portuguese tangará, any of various birds of the suboscine family Pipridae, from Tupi tagará, taŋgará

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tanager

• scarlet tanager

Rhymes for tanager

• manager

Kids Definition

tanager

noun

tan·​a·​ger ˈtan-i-jər 

: any of numerous small mostly tropical American birds that are often brightly colored compare scarlet tanager