What does "crow" mean?
A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles; it has a harsh, croaking call.
Crow
/kɹəʊ/ adj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles; it has a harsh, croaking call.
- Grammar: crow is listed as adj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: brag, aphonia, artificial voice, bar.
- Useful contrasts: downplay, humble, hush.
- Usage evidence: The bird on the roof is a crow.
How to use "crow"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "crow" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "crow" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "crow" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "crow" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "crow" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "brag" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "crow", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles; it has a harsh, croaking call.
"Gaslark in his splendour on the golden stairs saying adieu to those three captains and their matchless armament foredoomed to dogs and crows on Salapanta Hills."
- 2 The cry or call of a rooster or a cockerel, especially as heard at sunrise.
- 3 Alternative spelling of cro (“marijuana”). alt-of, alternative, uncountable
"My young boys hop out the ride in a crop yard searching, tryna find this crow"
- 4 A member of a Native American tribe of southern Montana.
- 5 black birds having a raucous call wordnet
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 Any of various dark-coloured nymphalid butterflies of the genus Euploea.
- 7 a Siouan language spoken by the Crow wordnet
- 8 A bar of iron with a beak, crook or claw; a bar of iron used as a lever; a crowbar.
"He approached the humble tomb in which Antonia reposed. He had provided himself with an iron crow and a pick-axe: but this precaution was unnecessary."
- 9 an instance of boastful talk wordnet
- 10 Someone who keeps watch while their associates commit a crime; a lookout. archaic, slang
"“Ay,” put in a young man, who had the reputation of being the smartest “crow” in London—“‘fishers of men,’ as the parson says.”"
- 11 the cry of a cock (or an imitation of it) wordnet
- 12 A gangplank (corvus) used by the Ancient Roman navy to board enemy ships. historical
- 13 a member of the Siouan people formerly living in eastern Montana wordnet
- 14 The mesentery of an animal.
- 15 An ill-tempered and obstinate woman, or one who otherwise has features resembling the bird; a harpy. derogatory
"But it helps a man along to have a wife he can be proud of. Suppose you marry some old crow. People point at her and ask, 'Who is that death's head yonder?'"
- 16 A black person. ethnic, offensive, slang, slur
- 17 The emblem of an eagle, a sign of military rank. slang
"A young petty officer that must have just received his “crow” (a single chevron, with an eagle over it) was showing off to several seamen."
Verb
- 1 To make the shrill sound characteristic of a rooster; to make a sound in this manner, either in gaiety, joy, pleasure, or defiance. intransitive
"Yet once me thought it [the ghost of Hamlet's father] was about to ſpeake, / And lifted vp his head to motion, / Like as he would ſpeake, but euen the / The morning cocke crew lowd, and in all haſte / It ſhrunke in haſte away, and vaniſhed / Our ſight."
- 2 express pleasure verbally wordnet
- 3 To shout in exultation or defiance; to brag. intransitive
"He’s been crowing all day about winning the game of cards."
- 4 utter shrill sounds wordnet
- 5 To test the reed of a double reed instrument by placing the reed alone in the mouth and blowing it. intransitive
Show 1 more definition
- 6 dwell on with satisfaction wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Dark black, the color of a crow; crow-black. uncommon
""Though her crow hair is lovely and wavy, she loathes it and craves yellow locks. Since she saw Hugh, she's given me no peace.” Sheffield's square , good-looking face shaped a grimace."
Proper Noun
- 1 The Siouan language of this tribe.
- 2 A surname.
Example
"The bird on the roof is a crow."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "crow"?
Common synonyms include: brag, aphonia, artificial voice, bar, bark, bawl.
How do you use "crow" in a sentence?
The bird on the roof is a crow.
How do you pronounce "crow"?
Pronounced /kɹəʊ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English crowe, from Old English crāwe, from Proto-West Germanic *krāā, from Proto-Germanic *krēǭ (compare West Frisian krie, Dutch kraai, German Krähe), from *krēaną (“to crow”). See below.
Etymology 2
The verb is from Middle English crowen, from Old English crāwan (past tense crēow, past participle crāwen), from Proto-West Germanic *krāan, from Proto-Germanic *krēaną, from imitative Proto-Indo-European *gerH- (“to cry hoarsely”). The noun is from Middle English crowe, from the verb. Compare Dutch kraaien, German krähen, Lithuanian gróti, Russian гра́ять (grájatʹ)). Related to croak.
Etymology 3
From French gens de corbeaux, calque of Dakota apsáaloke (“crow people”). Compare Crow Apsáalooke.
Etymology 4
* From Middle English Crowe, as an Old English surname, related to crow. * As an Irish surname, from mac Conchradha. See McEnroe. * Also as an Irish surname, calque of Irish fiach (“crow, raven”) (see also Fee).