WordGarden.iophoebe
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈiːbiː/
US
- /ˈfibi/
Meanings
Proper-noun
a female given name
a Titaness in Greek mythology
Noun
a small North American flycatcher
Beyond the definition
Phoebe is best known as the name of a small North American bird in the flycatcher family, especially the eastern phoebe, which is famous for its sharp "fee-bee" call. It is also used as a female first name. The name comes from Greek and is linked to the idea of brightness or radiance.
As a common noun, a phoebe is a small songbird in the flycatcher family. The best-known example is the eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), a bird found in much of eastern North America. It is usually gray-brown, often flicks its tail, and is well known for its clear call that sounds like "fee-bee." Phoebes are often seen near water, fields, bridges, porches, and other sheltered places where they can build nests and catch insects.
As a proper noun, Phoebe is also a female given name. It comes from the Greek Phoibe, meaning "bright" or "radiant," and it appears in Greek mythology and later naming traditions. In everyday English, people are most likely to meet this word either as the name of the bird or as a person's name.
So if you come across "phoebe" in reading or conversation, it usually refers either to the little flycatcher or to someone named Phoebe.
Examples
- 1
Bird identification
A phoebe landed on the fence and flicked its tail.
- 2
Nesting place
We saw an eastern phoebe nesting under the porch roof.
- 3
Seasonal return
Several phoebes returned to the yard in early spring.
See also
Contrast
Do not confuse
- Phoebe given name
Used with (collocations)
- eastern phoebe
- black phoebe
- Say's phoebe
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- phoebenoun