Tanager
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Any of numerous species of often colorful passerine birds that inhabit New World forests within the family Thraupidae.
"Breezes blowing from beds of iris quickened her breath with their perfume; she saw the tufted lilacs sway in the wind, and the streamers of mauve-tinted wistaria swinging, all a-glisten with golden bees; she saw a crimson cardinal winging through the foliage, and amorous tanagers flashing like scarlet flames athwart the pines."
- 2 any of numerous New World woodland birds having brightly colored males wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"Breezes blowing from beds of iris quickened her breath with their perfume; she saw the tufted lilacs sway in the wind, and the streamers of mauve-tinted wistaria swinging, all a-glisten with golden bees; she saw a crimson cardinal winging through the foliage, and amorous tanagers flashing like scarlet flames athwart the pines."
Etymology
From translingual Tanagra, from Portuguese tangara, from Old Tupi tangara.
Related phrases
More for "tanager"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.