jailbird

«jailbird» in Mova's school dictionary: in prison or has often been in prison — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

part of speech

noun (a jailbird, jailbirds) — informal

meaning for a pupil

(informal, old-fashioned) A person who is in prison or has often been in prison. tree →

sense in the lessons

In stories, cartoons and old films about criminals. It is a joking or rude label. Phrases: an old jailbird.

examples

• The jailbird escaped through a tunnel. tree →
• In the cartoon the jailbird wore a striped suit. tree →
• Grandad called the villain an old jailbird. tree →
• The story is about a jailbird who turns his life around. tree →
• The jailbird was back behind bars. tree →
• Calling someone a jailbird is not kind. tree →

note

Informal. Also gaolbird (old British spelling: gaol = jail). Plural jailbirds.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «jailbird» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.