Fledgling
/ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ/
nounadjectiveB2
Definition
As a noun, a fledgling is a young bird that has just grown enough feathers to leave the nest and start flying. As an adjective, it describes someone or something that is new, not yet fully developed, or inexperienced in a particular area, like a fledgling company or fledgling student.
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See It in Action
A young bird learning to fly
- •The fledgling left the nest for the first time today.
- •Parents watch carefully as their fledglings try to fly.
- •Many fledglings need help to survive their first days outside the nest.
A beginner or someone new and inexperienced
- •The fledgling artist is still learning basic painting skills.
- •Our fledgling company has only been open for three months.
- •As a fledgling writer, she is working hard to improve her style.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "fledgling" like "baby" (A1 word), but specifically a young bird or a beginner who is just starting to do something on their own.
- ✓Picture a small bird with soft feathers on a branch, trying its first flight from the nest.
- ✓It's the feeling of being new and unsure, like the first day at a new school or job.
- ✓Sounds like "FLEDGE-ling" → imagine a bird "fledging" (spreading wings) to fly for the first time.
- ✓In stories, fledglings are young heroes or learners just beginning their journey.
- ✓NOT like "adult" (fully grown and skilled), a fledgling is still learning and growing.
- ✓NOT like "expert" (very experienced), a fledgling is at the start of learning.
- ✓NOT like "chick" (a very young baby bird that cannot leave the nest), a fledgling is older and ready to leave the nest.
Try Other Words
- •Novice: a person new to a skill or job (Use when emphasizing lack of experience)
- •Rookie: a new person in a job or sport (Use in informal or sports contexts)
- •Young: not old or mature (Use when focusing on age or stage of growth)
- •Newcomer: someone new to a place or activity (Use when focusing on arrival or new participation)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "fledge" + suffix "-ling" (a suffix meaning "young" or "small")
- •Etymology: "Fledge" comes from Old English "flegian," meaning to fly; "-ling" is a common English suffix for young creatures or people
- •Historical development: Originally used for young birds learning to fly, later extended metaphorically to mean any beginner or new person
- •Modern usage: Used in biology for young birds and metaphorically in business, education, and other areas to describe beginners or new things
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when you are a fledgling at something new? Can you remember a time you were a beginner like this?
•In what ways can being a fledgling be a positive experience, even if it feels difficult at first?
Fill in the blanks
1.The fledgling bird left the nest because it was ready to ___ its wings and fly.
2.A fledgling company often needs extra support to ___ in a competitive market.
3.Unlike an expert, a fledgling usually makes ___ mistakes while learning.
4.The coach encouraged the fledgling player to keep practicing and not be afraid to ___.
5.When someone is called a fledgling writer, it means they are still ___ their skills.
6.Fledgling birds differ from chicks because they have ___ feathers and can try flying.
7.The success of a fledgling depends on good ___ and practice in the early stages.