FLEDGLING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does fledgling mean? 

• FLEDGLING (noun)
  The noun FLEDGLING has 2 senses:

1. any new participant in some activity

2. young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying

  Familiarity information: FLEDGLING used as a noun is rare.

• FLEDGLING (adjective)
  The adjective FLEDGLING has 2 senses:

1. (of a young bird) having acquired its flight feathers

2. young and inexperienced

  Familiarity information: FLEDGLING used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FLEDGLING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any new participant in some activity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

entrant; fledgeling; fledgling; freshman; neophyte; newbie; newcomer; starter

Hypernyms ("fledgling" is a kind of...):

beginner; initiate; novice; tiro; tyro (someone new to a field or activity)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fledgling"):

enlistee; recruit (any new member or supporter (as in the armed forces))

Derivation:

fledgling (young and inexperienced)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

fledgeling; fledgling

Hypernyms ("fledgling" is a kind of...):

young bird (a bird that is still young)

Derivation:

fledgling ((of a young bird) having acquired its flight feathers)

• FLEDGLING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of a young bird) having acquired its flight feathers

Synonyms:

fledgeling; fledgling

Context example:

a fledgling robin

Similar:

fledged; mature ((of birds) having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination)

Derivation:

fledgling (young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Young and inexperienced

Synonyms:

callow; fledgling; unfledged

Context example:

an unfledged lawyer

Similar:

inexperienced; inexperient (lacking practical experience or training)

Derivation:

fledgling (any new participant in some activity)

 Context examples 

Galaxy formation is turbulent and violent, and the growth of the fledgling massive galaxy billions of years ago perhaps played a role in NGC 1052-DF2's dark-matter deficiency.

(Dark Matter Goes Missing in Oddball Galaxy, NASA)

This is a fledgling technology that uses a series of moveable and semi-permeable membranes, under which the composting process takes place.

(Scientists validate a new technology that transforms sewage sludge into fertilizer more efficiently, University of Granada)