goldfinch
noun
gold·finch
ˈgōl(d)-ˌfinch 
: any of several small, active, often brightly-colored finches (genera Spinus and Carduelis of the family Fringillidae) with yellow in their plumage: such as
a
: a small finch (Spinus tristis) native to North America that in the breeding plumage of the male is yellow with a white rump and black markings on the wings, tail, and crown
called also American goldfinch
b
: one (Carduelis carduelis) native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northern Africa that has the front of the head and throat bright red, the nape with part of the wings and tail black, and the wings marked in bright yellow
Examples of goldfinch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These goldfinches may still find seeds within the leftover, decaying buds, and their presence atop the plants is a lovely sight.
—
Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
As with grass, only offer roots from plants that have not been treated with fertilizers or pesticides.
Milkweed Fibers and Cattail Fluff: American goldfinch, Baltimore orioles, and Eastern kingbirds will line their nests with milkweed silk and cattail fluff.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2025
During the fall and winter, male goldfinches appear unrecognizable in their drab gray-green feathers.
—Cecilia Garzella, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
In the 30-second clip, which Lefebvre estimated took about 20 minutes to film, she was first joined by an American goldfinch, which looked around as though scouting for predators.
—Rachael O'Connor, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
As with grass, only offer roots from plants that have not been treated with fertilizers or pesticides.
Milkweed Fibers and Cattail Fluff: American goldfinch, Baltimore orioles, and Eastern kingbirds will line their nests with milkweed silk and cattail fluff.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2025
During the fall and winter, male goldfinches appear unrecognizable in their drab gray-green feathers.
—Cecilia Garzella, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
In the 30-second clip, which Lefebvre estimated took about 20 minutes to film, she was first joined by an American goldfinch, which looked around as though scouting for predators.
—Rachael O'Connor, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for goldfinch
Cite this Entry
“Goldfinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goldfinch. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
goldfinch
noun
gold·finch
-ˌfinch
1
: a small largely red, black, and yellow European finch often kept in a cage
2
: any of several small American finches of which the males in their summer coat of feathers are usually yellow with black wings, tail, and top of the head
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