Definition

A small songbird found in Europe, known for its colorful feathers, especially the male which has reddish-brown plumage.

Example

I saw a chaffinch singing in the tree this morning.

Conversation

I saw a beautiful chaffinch in the park yesterday.

Really? I've never seen one of those before!

They have such lovely colors, especially the males.

I'll have to keep an eye out for them next time!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Chaffinch originates from Old English 'cæfinc', which is a combination of 'cæf' (meaning chaff) and 'finc' (meaning finch). The word refers to a finch that is often found in fields where chaff is present, thus linking the bird to its habitat.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'chaff' that is found in fields, and remember that a 'chaffinch' is a type of finch often seen in those areas.

Visually Confused Words