Fledgling
Noun
Definition: A young bird that has just grown its flight feathers and has just started flying.
Definition: A person or organization that is immature, inexperienced, or still developing.
Synonyms: Novice, Beginner, Rookie, Apprentice
Antonyms: Expert, Veteran, Professional
- The fledgling finch tried to fly but crashed into a tree branch.
- The company is a fledgling in the tech industry, still learning and trying to establish itself.
- Think of a young bird just learning to fly as representing an inexperienced person.
Etymology:
The word "fledgling" comes from Middle English "fledgelyng", which is derived from the verb "fledge" meaning "to grow feathers capable of flight". It dates back to the 15th century.
Historical Usage:Initially, the word was primarily used to refer to young birds learning to fly. Later, it was extended to describe inexperienced or developing individuals or entities.
Related Idioms:
"Fledgling years"
Explanation:Refers to the early stages or formative period of someone's life, career, or an organization.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "fledgling" with "flawed" due to similar sounding.
Explanation:"Fledgling" refers to someone inexperienced or young, while "flawed" refers to someone or something with imperfections. They have different meanings and should not be confused.