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Definition of brushfinch

brushfinch

/ˈbrʌʃˌfɪntʃ/
brush · finch
Plural:brushfinches
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brushfinch Lexical Profile

• noun

1

Any of various Neotropical songbirds primarily in the genera Atlapetes or Arremon, belonging to the New World sparrow family, characteristically found foraging in the dense undergrowth and cloud forests of Central and South America.

Example

"The chestnut-capped brushfinch hopped quickly through the dense Andean understory in search of seeds and small insects."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for brushfinch

Word Nuance & Usage

Despite the name, brushfinches are not true finches (family Fringillidae) but are instead classified as New World sparrows (family Passerellidae).

• Nearby Words

brushable
brushback
brushcut
brushfinch
brushfire
brushland
brushless

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in English as a compound of 'brush' (referring to the bird's preferred habitat in dense scrub and undergrowth) and 'finch' (a generic term historically applied to many small, stout-billed songbirds).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Brushfinch. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/brushfinch
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