# birdie

/ˈbɝdi/ (US) · /bˈɜːdi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/birdie
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a score in golf where you finish a hole in one shot fewer than the standard number. It is a good result that most players are happy to get.

For teachers: a score of one stroke under par on a specific hole. Often used as a verb in informal sports commentary to describe the act of achieving this score.

## Examples

- She played well and made a birdie on the fifth hole.
- After a perfect drive and a precise chip onto the green, he sank the putt to secure a birdie.
- The professional golfer managed to recover from a poor start by hitting three consecutive birdies, significantly improving her position on the leaderboard before the final round.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the verbs 'make', 'get', or 'sink'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.