parrot

1 of 2

noun

par·​rot ˈper-ət 

ˈpa-rət

1

: any of numerous widely distributed tropical birds (order Psittaciformes and especially family Psittacidae) that are often crested and brightly colored, have a distinctive stout hooked bill and zygodactyl feet, and include some excellent mimics

2

: a person who sedulously echoes another's words

parrot adjective

parrot

2 of 2

verb

parroted; parroting; parrots

transitive verb

: to repeat by rote

Synonyms

Verb

• ditto
• echo
• quote
• reecho
• repeat

Examples of parrot in a Sentence

Verb

Some of the students were just parroting what the teacher said.

the toddler parroted everything her father said, often to the latter's embarrassment

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The multi-use toy can be transformed from a parrot perched on a branch to a frog to a fish. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

Inside the towering rattan canopy bed, curtained in another verdant tone, hangs a blue bird cage that houses a porcelain parrot. —Mitchell Owens, Architectural Digest, 11 Oct. 2024

Verb

More fundamentally, our city government must return its focus to what our residents need here locally, rather than parroting the talking points of groups bearing no relevance to our city. —Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024

To Rival Gold Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Leads In Latest Survey—As Polls Tighten Week Before Election Day Google Makes A Special Offer To Pixel Customers Why do people do this parroting or echoing? —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably modification of Middle French perroquet

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing parrot

• parrot-fashion
• parrot fever
• parrot fish

Kids Definition

parrot

1 of 2 noun

par·​rot ˈpar-ət 

1

: any of numerous usually brightly colored tropical birds marked by a strong hooked bill, by toes arranged in pairs with two in front and two behind, and often by the ability to mimic speech

2

: a person who repeats the words of others without understanding what they mean

parrot

2 of 2 verb

: to repeat words like a parrot