# phoebe

/ˈfibi/ (US) · /fˈiːbiː/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. female name

noun · CEFR A2

a popular female given name that comes from a Greek word meaning 'bright' or 'pure'.

For teachers: a female given name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from 'phoibos', meaning bright or radiant.

- Phoebe is starting her new job at the hospital next Monday.
- The name Phoebe has seen a resurgence in popularity across English-speaking countries over the last two decades.

### 2. a type of bird

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a small, brownish-grey bird found in North America that catches insects while flying.

For teachers: any of several passerine birds belonging to the genus Sayornis, characterized by their insectivorous diet and habit of wagging their tails.

- We watched a phoebe sitting on the fence, waiting to catch a fly.
- The Eastern Phoebe is often one of the first migratory birds to return to the northern states in early spring.

Usage: The word is usually lowercase when referring to the bird species.

### 3. Greek mythology

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a Titan in Greek mythology who was associated with the moon and was the grandmother of Apollo and Artemis.

For teachers: a Titaness in Greek mythology, daughter of Uranus and Gaia, traditionally associated with the moon and the Oracle of Delphi.

- In the old stories, Phoebe was the grandmother of the goddess Artemis.
- Classical poets often used the name Phoebe as a metonym for the moon itself, reflecting the Titaness's mythological associations.

### 4. a moon of Saturn

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small, dark moon that orbits the planet Saturn.

For teachers: an irregular satellite of Saturn, notable for its retrograde orbit and dark, cratered surface.

- Scientists used a space probe to take detailed photos of Phoebe.
- Data from the Cassini mission suggests that Phoebe may be a captured Kuiper Belt object rather than a moon formed in situ.

## Examples

- A phoebe sat on the fence and wagged its tail.
- The eastern phoebe often builds its nest under the eaves of houses or bridges to stay dry.
- Ornithologists noted that the phoebe is one of the first migratory species to return north in the spring, often arriving while frost still covers the ground.

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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.