parakeet

or par·ra·keet

[ par-uh-keet ]

noun

1. any of numerous small, slender parrots, usually having a long, pointed, graduated tail, often kept as pets and noted for the ability to mimic speech: several species are endangered.

parakeet

/ ˈpærəˌkiːt /

noun

1. any of numerous small usually brightly coloured long-tailed parrots, such as Psittacula krameri ( ring-necked parakeet ), of Africa

Word History and Origins

Origin of parakeet¹

1575–85; from Middle French paroquet “parrot,” apparently originally a diminutive of P(i)errot, diminutive of Pierre “Peter,” as a name for a parrot; the modern form and its earlier variants have been influenced by Italian parrocchetto and Spanish periquito (both ultimately from Middle French )

Word History and Origins

Origin of parakeet¹

C16: from Spanish periquito and Old French paroquet parrot, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

He grew up with dogs, cats, a parakeet and a parrot that lived to 60.

From Los Angeles Times

They said Mallo inappropriately touched the breasts of the woman who was wearing Espanyol’s parakeet costume while players lined up to salute each other before kickoff.

From Seattle Times

No extant species of parrot has lived in the continental United States since the native Carolina Parakeet went extinct over 100 years ago.

From National Geographic

Supporters of the kakariki karaka - a green parakeet - put up billboards reading: "Dear John, don't disrupt the pecking order".

From BBC

As a young Parrot Head, or parakeet, I felt special to be dancing and singing with all these fun-loving adults, even if I had to stand on a chair to see.

From Salon