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Definition of scarlet tanager
scarlet tanager
Plural:scarlet tanagers
scarlet tanager Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A medium-sized North American songbird known for the striking plumage of the breeding male, which features a brilliant red body with contrasting jet-black wings and tail.
Example
"Every spring, birdwatchers eagerly scan the high forest canopy hoping to spot the vibrant flash of a male scarlet tanager."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The word 'scarlet' derives from Old French 'escarlate', originally denoting a high-quality cloth that was often dyed bright red. 'Tanager' originates from the Tupi language word 'tangara', meaning a brightly colored bird.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Scarlet tanager. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/scarlet tanager