parrot

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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

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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 latest New York news Image A war inside a Manhattan co-op: Noise complaints over shrieking parrots at an apartment building in Gramercy Park led to a $750,000 legal settlement and shattered a friendship. —James Barron, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025

Think of how rowdy our feral parrots or migrating geese can be. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025

Verb

The most powerful country in the world, which was — for good reason — Putin’s biggest nemesis until only two months ago, is now rolling out the red carpet for him, parroting his talking points, chastising and weakening his adversaries, and blaming his victims for his offenses. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025

After parroting LaGuerta’s message about learning from our mistakes, Dex explains that he’s found the perfect tranquilizer and even has a convenient dosing chart to make sure to avoid any future accidents. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for parrot

• buret
• carat
• ferret
• garret
• karat
• merit
• demerit
• inherit
• preterit
• disinherit

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