noun
fledgling
FLEHJ-lihng
noun
1
A young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly.
"A fledgling perched nervously on the edge of the nest."
2
A person or organization that is new and still inexperienced.
"The fledgling company struggled to find its first customers."
adj
1
New and still developing; not yet established.
"The fledgling democracy held its first free election."
How to Use Fledgling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA young bird just learning to fly, or by extension, anything new and still finding its feet.
Common pairings
fledgling business
fledgling democracy
fledgling career
Word Forms
fledglings plural
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A _____ perched nervously on the edge of the nest.
Etymology
From "fledge" ("to grow feathers needed for flight") + the diminutive suffix "-ling."