jailbird

[ jeyl-burd ]

noun

1. a person who is or has been confined in jail; convict or ex-convict.

jailbird

/ ˈdʒeɪlˌbɜːd /

noun

1. a person who is or has been confined to jail, esp repeatedly; convict

Word History and Origins

Origin of jailbird¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; jail + bird

Example Sentences

People posted side-by-sides of this outfit next to Nicolas Cage dressed the same in “Con Air,” an action-farce set aboard a prison transport plane called the Jailbird.

From New York Times

Trump did not name the witness but said it was a "highly respected lawyer who once represented convicted felon, jailbird and serial fake storyteller and liar, Michael Cohen."

From Salon

The pangram from yesterday’s Spelling Bee was jailbird.

From New York Times

This subtle, amiable jailbird on temporary leave to the funny farm is saner than the men around him but he’s not necessarily brighter.

From Los Angeles Times

Trevor Noah on Trump’s jailbird friends.

From New York Times

Related Words

• blackmailer
• criminal
• crook
• culprit
• delinquent
• felon
• fugitive
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• mobster
• offender
• racketeer
• scofflaw