fledge

[ flej ]

verb (used with object)

, fledged, fledg·ing.

1. to bring up (a young bird) until it is able to fly.
2. to furnish with or as if with feathers or plumage.
3. to provide (an arrow) with feathers.

verb (used without object)

, fledged, fledg·ing.

1. (of a young bird) to acquire the feathers necessary for flight.

adjective

1. Archaic. (of young birds) able to fly.

fledge

/ flɛdʒ /

verb

1. tr to feed and care for (a young bird) until it is able to fly
2. Also calledfletch tr to fit (something, esp an arrow) with a feather or feathers
3. intr (of a young bird) to grow feathers
4. tr to cover or adorn with or as if with feathers

Other Words From

• fledgeless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fledge¹

1350–1400; Middle English flegge (fully-)fledged, Old English *flecge, as variant of -flycge; cognate with Old High German flucki, Middle Low German vlügge (> German flügge ); akin to fly ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of fledge¹

Old English -flycge , as in unflycge unfledged; related to Old High German flucki able to fly; see fly ¹

Example Sentences

“This was a real ground-shifting moment for me when I realized what individuality was and the potential there was of becoming a fully fledged person.”

From Los Angeles Times

Swift was riding high on the success of her first fully fledged pop album, “1989,” and was, by all accounts, overexposed.

From Los Angeles Times

Thirty years ago a fledging company spotted emerging trends around internet use and realised how it could upend first retail, then much else besides.

From BBC

The decline of their natural habitat means curlew often breed in farmers' hayfields where their nests can be destroyed if the grass is mown in May or June, before chicks have had time to fledge.

From BBC

Illegal mines are rife in the country’s fledging industry as corruption among regulatory officials is common and the mineral deposits are located in remote areas with minimal government presence.

From Seattle Times