fledgling

[ flej-ling ]

noun

1. a young bird just fledged.
2. an inexperienced person.

   Synonyms: greenhorn, freshman, beginner, tyro, novice

adjective

1. young, new, or inexperienced:

   a fledgling diver.

fledgling

/ ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ /

noun

1. a young bird that has just fledged
2. 1. a young and inexperienced or untried person, organization or system

fledgling

/ flĕj′lĭng /

1. A young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly and is capable of surviving outside the nest.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fledgling¹

First recorded in 1820–30; fledge + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

In 1989, when climate politics was still fledgling, he warned that the effects of warming were going to prove explosive along America’s borders — and that, left unresolved, communities could disintegrate into violence.

From Salon

He bounced around several agencies in the North West, gaining experience as a fledgling agent, building contacts and eventually he set up his own business.

From BBC

He had holed thousands of such putts on his way to joining Europe’s elite tour; now he needed one more to keep his fledgling career afloat.

From BBC

Given his disdain for media in general and free speech in particular, as evidenced by a series of lawsuits against news organizations and other critics, putting Nunes in charge of a fledgling media empire was a bizarre move — unless the company is all about cozying up to the deep-pocketed sort of people who would benefit from a second Trump administration.

From Los Angeles Times

Could the music industry do more to help fledgling artists, and are things now changing?

From BBC

Related Words

• chick
• nestling