parakeet

or par·ra·keet

[ par-uh-keet ]

noun
  1. any of numerous small, slender parrots, usually having a long, pointed, graduated tail, often kept as pets and noted for the ability to mimic speech: several species are endangered.

Origin of parakeet

1
1575–85; from Middle French paroquet “parrot,” apparently originally a diminutive of P(i)errot, diminutive of Pierre “Peter,” as a name for a parrot; the modern form and its earlier variants have been influenced by Italian parrocchetto and Spanish periquito (both ultimately from Middle French )
  • Also par·a·quet, par·o·quet, par·ro·ket, par·ro·quet [par-uh-ket] /ˈpær əˌkɛt/ .

Words Nearby parakeet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use parakeet in a sentence

  • But one day I was looking at a bird perched on my windowsill, and it fell over dead, just as your parakeet did.

    When I Grow Up | Richard E. Lowe
  • Paralyzed, he remained in his green and red parakeet feathers watching the motions of the injured pirate.

    Mr. Wicker's Window | Carley Dawson
  • The pirate's eyes were fixed on the parakeet, and his twitching fingers played with the steel-tipped whip.

    Mr. Wicker's Window | Carley Dawson
  • Osterbridge, vastly pleased to see his green parakeet again, was wreathed in smiles.

    Mr. Wicker's Window | Carley Dawson

British Dictionary definitions for parakeet

parakeet

parrakeet

/ (ˈpærəˌkiːt) /


noun
  1. any of numerous small usually brightly coloured long-tailed parrots, such as Psittacula krameri (ring-necked parakeet), of Africa

Origin of parakeet

1
C16: from Spanish periquito and Old French paroquet parrot, of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012