fledgling

/ˈfledʒlɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfledʒlɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflej-liŋ/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfledʒ.lɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfledʒ.lɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)

fledgling — noun

  • fledglingsingular
  • fledglingsplural

1. a bird in its first flying stage, with feathers already grown and only limited c

1.名詞C1
釋義

a bird in its first flying stage, with feathers already grown and only limited control in the air.

例句

The fledgling robin flapped across the garden and landed near the fence.

fledgling + bird species

After the storm, a fledgling blackbird hid under Mila's porch steps.

同義詞
  • young bird

    plain descriptive phrase; less specific about the stage of flight

  • juvenile bird

    more technical and broader; not limited to the first flying stage

反義詞
  • adult bird

    a fully grown bird with complete flight ability

文法句型

a fledgling

fledgling + bird species

用法筆記

Use for a bird that has reached the stage of first flight but is still not fully independent. It is later than a nestling stage.

常見錯誤

❌The nest held three fledglings that had not hatched yet.
✅The nest held three eggs that had not hatched yet.
💡A fledgling has already come out of the egg and grown feathers.

2. someone or something at an early stage that still lacks experience, money, or su

2.名詞C1
釋義

someone or something at an early stage that still lacks experience, money, or support.

例句

Christopher felt like a fledgling during his first week as a reporter.

be a fledgling during the first stage of work

With three planes and one route, the airline was still a fledgling.

同義詞
  • newcomer

    neutral word for someone newly arrived; says less about lack of strength

  • novice

    focuses on inexperience, especially for a person learning a skill

  • startup

    only for a new business, not for a person or political movement

反義詞
  • veteran

    a person with long experience in a field

  • established player

    a company or group that already has money, support, and a secure position

文法句型

be a fledgling

a fledgling in + field

用法筆記

Often used for people, companies, or other ventures that show early promise but have not yet built much experience or strength. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, which modifies a noun directly.

常見錯誤

❌The company is fledgling after one month.
✅The company is still a fledgling after one month.
💡Here fledgling is a noun, so it needs a determiner such as 'a'.
❌She is a fledgling manager after twenty years in the job.
✅She was a fledgling manager at the start of her career.
💡A fledgling is only at an early stage, not an experienced professional.

fledgling — adjective