warble

Everyday

1. Of a bird: to sing with a sweet, trembling, changing sound. tree →
2. Of a person: to sing in a high, wobbly voice, often said jokingly. tree →
3. (noun) A warbling sound. tree →

In the lessons

Used in nature writing, stories and poems: birds warble in the trees in spring. It can be gently funny about people: "Grandad warbled an old song in the bath." Warblers are a group of small songbirds named after their song.

Examples

• A little bird warbled in the hedge. tree →
• We heard blackbirds warbling at dawn. tree →
• Grandad warbled an old song while he made the tea. tree →
• The singer's voice warbled on the high notes. tree →
• The warble of the robin filled the garden. tree →
• My sister warbles along to every song on the radio. tree →
• "Through the forest, and in the vale, Sweetly warbles the nightingale. tree →

Note

Regular verb: warbled, warbling. A warbler is a small songbird. "Warble" is gentler than "screech" or "squawk". Do not confuse with "wobble", though a warbling voice does wobble a little.