fledglings
|fledg-ling|
/ˈflɛdʒlɪŋz/
(fledgling)
young and inexperienced
Etymology
'fledgling' originates from Middle English, formed from the verb 'fledge' plus the diminutive suffix '-ling', where 'fledge' meant 'to feather' or 'to grow the feathers needed for flight'.
'fledgling' developed in Middle English as a derivative of 'fledge' + '-ling' (a suffix forming nouns indicating young or small entities) and eventually became the modern English word 'fledgling'.
Initially it referred specifically to a young bird newly feathered for flight; over time it retained that sense and also acquired the figurative meaning 'an inexperienced person or organization'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of fledgling: young birds that have recently grown their flight feathers and are learning to fly (often still dependent on their parents).
Several fledglings were sheltering under the bush after their first attempt at flying.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/14 23:51