# robin

/ˈɹɑbən/ (US) · /ɹˈɒbɪn/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a bird

noun · CEFR A2

a small bird with a bright red or orange chest, often seen in gardens.

For teachers: any of several small passerine birds, particularly the European robin (Erithacus rubecula) or the American robin (Turdus migratorius).

- A robin sat on the garden fence and sang a beautiful song.
- The European robin is a frequent visitor to gardens and is often associated with winter and Christmas in British folklore.

Teaching tip: Note that the 'robin' in North America is a different, larger species than the one in Europe, though both have red chests.

### 2. a person's name

noun · CEFR A2

a name for a person, used for both men and women.

For teachers: a unisex given name of Germanic origin, originally a diminutive of Robert.

- Robin and his sister went to the park to play.
- The name Robin gained significant popularity in the mid-twentieth century as both a masculine and feminine given name.

Usage: Capitalized as a proper noun.

## Examples

- A robin is singing on the garden fence.
- We knew spring was finally arriving when we saw a robin building a nest in the apple tree.
- The European robin is frequently depicted in folklore and holiday cards, where its distinctive red plumage serves as a vibrant contrast to the stark white of a snowy landscape.

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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.