Jailbird

Pronunciation: /dʒeɪlbɜrd/

Definitions of jailbird

noun a person who has been in jail or prison, especially repeatedly

Example Sentences

A1 The jailbird was caught stealing bread.

A2 The police arrested the jailbird for shoplifting.

B1 The jailbird served time in prison for his crimes.

B2 The jailbird was released on parole after completing his sentence.

C1 The notorious jailbird was known for his multiple escapes from prison.

C2 Despite being a jailbird in the past, he turned his life around and became a successful businessman.

Examples of jailbird in a Sentence

formal The judge sentenced the repeat offender to serve time as a jailbird.

informal I can't believe my cousin turned into a jailbird after getting involved in that robbery.

slang That jailbird always seems to find trouble wherever he goes.

figurative She felt like a jailbird trapped in her own circumstances, unable to break free.

Grammatical Forms of jailbird

• past tense: jailed
• plural: jailbirds
• comparative: more jailbird
• superlative: most jailbird
• present tense: jailbirds
• future tense: will jailbird
• perfect tense: have jailed
• continuous tense: is jailbirding
• singular: jailbird
• positive degree: jailbird
• infinitive: to jailbird
• gerund: jailbirding
• participle: jailbirded

Origin and Evolution of jailbird

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'jailbird' originated from the combination of 'jail' and 'bird', likely referring to a person who is confined like a bird in a cage.

Evolution of the word: Initially used to describe a person who is or has been in jail, the term 'jailbird' has evolved to also imply a habitual criminal or someone with a history of imprisonment.