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Added 9 October 2026

fledgling

/ˈflɛd͡ʒ.lɪŋ/ adjective

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about fledgling at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Untried or inexperienced.
Emergent or rising.

noun

A young bird which has just developed its flight feathers (notably wings).
An insect that has just fledged, i.e. undergone its final moult to become an adult or imago.
An immature, naïve or inexperienced person.

Origin

From fledge (“prepare for flying”) + -ling.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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