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Definition of heathwren
heathwren
/ˈhiːθˌrɛn/
heath · wren
Plural:heathwrens
heathwren Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Australian A small, ground-dwelling songbird of the genus Hylacola, native to the heathlands and dense scrublands of Australia, noted for its rich, melodious song and habit of holding its tail cocked.
Example
"While walking quietly through the dense coastal scrub, the birdwatcher was lucky enough to spot a shy heathwren darting between the bushes."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for heathwrenWord Nuance & Usage
Although called a 'wren', the heathwren is biologically classified as an Australasian warbler (family Acanthizidae) rather than a true wren (family Troglodytidae).
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'heath', referring to its preferred scrubland habitat, and 'wren', owing to its superficial resemblance to true wrens with its small, brownish body and frequently cocked tail.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Heathwren. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/heathwren