pigeons - Master This Word
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pigeons Word Meanings
- a type of bird known for its cooing sound
- a person easily deceived or gullible
- to exhibit a calm and gentle demeanor
pigeons Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
pigeons Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈpɪdʒ.ən/
US
/ˈpɪdʒ.ən/
pigeons Word Etymology
From Middle English 'pijon', from Old French 'pijon', from Latin 'pipio' meaning 'young chirping bird'. Visualize a young bird softly pecking and cooing among the leaves.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Pigeon is a common English noun that mainly means a bird, specifically a stout gray bird with a soft cooing sound. In everyday speech it can also describe a person who is easily deceived or gullible, for example a shopper who falls for a too-good-to-be-true offer. A less common sense is a calm, gentle demeanor, as in a person who carries themselves with quiet gentleness like a pigeon perched serenely. This mix of literal and figurative uses means learners should rely on context to choose the right meaning, and avoid confusing the bird with other cooing creatures.
Usage Reminders
- Pigeon mainly refers to the bird; use it with verbs like perch, coo, or feed.
- As a metaphor, it describes a gullible person and is informal.
- The calm, gentle demeanor sense is literary and less common.
- Do not confuse with pigeonhole, which has a different meaning.
- Pigeons is the standard plural for multiple birds.
Common Misconceptions
- Pigeons are always dirty or pests.
- Pigeon only refers to the bird, never people.
- The gullible sense is the only meaning in everyday speech.
- Pigeon and pigeonhole are interchangeable.
- All pigeons look the same; breed/color don’t matter for meaning.
Thinking Differences
English learners should note the bird sense vs. the informal metaphor for a gullible person; the mellow-demeanor usage is literary and context-heavy, so look for clues like cooing or a calm description.
Learning Tips
- Read pigeon in context to choose the sense
- Note collocations with birds (perch, coo, feed)
- Be aware of informal/metaphorical use
- Keep pigeonhole distinct in your mind
- Practice with both bird and metaphor sentences
- Use image cues (cooing, calm pose) to remember).
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