Word
mockingbird
Phoneticsmock·ing·bird, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmɑkɪŋˌbɝd/
UK/mˈɒkɪŋbˌɜːd/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a type of bird known for its beautiful singing. In some stories, this bird is also famous for copying the sounds of other animals and people.
n. a species of passerine bird, specifically the Northern Mockingbird, known for its complex and varied vocalizations. Often used in literature to symbolize beauty, freedom, or the ability to imitate others.
Examples
“The mockingbird sings beautifully in the morning.”
“The mockingbird perched on the fence and began to mimic the calls of the nearby woodpecker.”
“In the novel, the mockingbird serves as a powerful metaphor for innocence, representing the tragic loss of a voice that was once a source of joy and inspiration for the community.”
Examples
simple
“The mockingbird sings beautifully in the morning.”
contextual
“The mockingbird perched on the fence and began to mimic the calls of the nearby woodpecker.”
complex
“In the novel, the mockingbird serves as a powerful metaphor for innocence, representing the tragic loss of a voice that was once a source of joy and inspiration for the community.”
Real-World Examples
“Here we describe an experimental study with Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), a common species in urban environments throughout the continental United States.” “We can always tell it’s a mockingbird, not because of his copying, but because of his unique and specific way of composing music out of the material he hears in the world around him.” “The Northern Mockingbirds that live on the campus of North Carolina’s Elon University might not know it, but they are a well-studied bunch.” Etymology
From mocking + bird, from the ability of the birds to mimic sounds and, in some cases, hum as a wake-up call.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Jacket design by Shirley Smith.
To Kill a Mockingbird · 1960-07-11 · Bildungsroman, southern gothic
- Author:
- Harper Lee
Harper Lee’s classic 1960 novel follows young Scout Finch as her father, a lawyer, defends a Black man in the American South. The title refers to the idea that these songbirds do nothing but provide music for people to enjoy, making it a sin to harm them. This metaphor is used throughout the story to represent the loss of innocence and the unfair treatment of harmless individuals.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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