# Colin

/ˈkoʊɫɪn/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. male name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: a masculine given name, common in English-speaking countries.

- My friend Colin is coming over for dinner tonight.
- The author Colin Thiele is best known for his children's novel Storm Boy, which remains a staple of Australian literature.

### 2. a type of bird

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of small bird from North America, also called a bobwhite.

For teachers: any of several American quails of the genus Colinus, particularly the northern bobwhite.

- The colin is a small bird that lives in the fields of North America.
- Ornithologists observed the Virginian colin in its natural habitat, noting the distinct whistling call that gives the species its common name.

## Examples

- My friend Colin is coming over for dinner tonight.
- The manager, Colin, will be happy to assist you with any questions about your account.
- While the name Colin has roots in several different cultures, it remains a quintessential example of a traditional British name that has maintained steady popularity throughout the twentieth century.

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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.