goldfinch

noun

gold·​finch ˈgōl(d)-ˌfinch 

: any of several small, active, often bright-colored finches (genera Spinus and Carduelis of the family Fringillidae) with yellow in their plumage: such as

a

: a small finch (Spinus tristis) native to North America that in the breeding plumage of the male is yellow with a white rump and black markings on the wings, tail, and crown

called also American goldfinch

b

: one (Carduelis carduelis) native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northern Africa that has the front of the head and throat bright red, the nape with part of the wings and tail black, and the wings marked in bright yellow

Examples of goldfinch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just be aware that scrub jays, mourning dove, towhees and lesser goldfinch also thrive on these large seeds, so don’t buy the small bags. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Black oil sunflower seeds attract a wide variety of birds including cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, goldfinches, purple finches, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Their dense foliage and flexible branches create perfect nesting sites for goldfinches, yellow warblers, and willow flycatchers. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026

For example, Stewart recommends adding nyjer or sunflower chips, tiny seeds that small birds prefer, such as goldfinches and pine siskins. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing goldfinch

• American goldfinch

Rhymes for goldfinch

• bullfinch
• cinch
• finch
• flinch
• inch
• lynch
• pinch
• synch
• winch

Kids Definition

goldfinch

noun

gold·​finch -ˌfinch 

1

: a small largely red, black, and yellow European finch often kept in a cage

2

: any of several small American finches of which the males in their summer coat of feathers are usually yellow with black wings, tail, and top of the head