Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

wheatear

noun wheat·ear \ ˈhwēt-ˌir , ˈwēt- \

Definition of wheatear

: any of various small thrushes (genus Oenanthe); especially : a white-rumped one (O. oenanthe) of northern North America and the Old World

Origin and Etymology of wheatear

back-formation from earlier wheatears wheatear, probably by folk etymology or euphemism from white + arse

Learn More about wheatear

  1. See words that rhyme with wheatear Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wheatear

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up wheatear? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games