birdlike

American  

[burd-lahyk] / ˈbɜrdˌlaɪk /

adjective

1. having the appearance or characteristics of a bird, as quickness, lightness, fragility, etc..

   birdlike gestures.

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Other Word Forms

• unbirdlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of birdlike

First recorded in 1580–90; bird + -like

Example Sentences

Its main business is running and lifestyle shoes marked by a simple birdlike logo — the letter “A” turned sideways — that range from $80 to more than $200.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

An abbreviation of Archaeopteryx, a birdlike dinosaur, it started out making climbing harnesses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

Lader is slight, birdlike almost, with a focused, energetic, no-nonsense manner that made me correct my posture.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2024

The researchers identified them as the birdlike raptor Citipes elegans; both lacked growth marks on the bones and so were probably less than 1 year old, weighing as much as a modern-day turkey.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 7, 2023

But within the frail, birdlike body of Mrs. Rappaport was the spirit of a dragon capable of tackling the heavens and earth.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord