Search Dictionary
Definition of scrubwren
scrubwren
/ˈskrʌbˌrɛn/
scrub · wren
Plural:scrubwrens
scrubwren Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of various small, insectivorous passerine birds of the genus Sericornis, native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, characterized by drab plumage and a preference for foraging in dense forest undergrowth.
Example
"The white-browed scrubwren darted quickly through the leaf litter of the coastal rainforest in search of insects."
Word Origin & Etymology
A 19th-century compound of 'scrub' (referencing their preferred dense undergrowth habitat) and 'wren' (due to their superficial resemblance to true wrens, despite belonging to a different family, Acanthizidae).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Scrubwren. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/scrubwren