wren

Everyday

1. A wren is a tiny brown bird with a short tail that sticks up; it has a very loud song for its size. tree →
2. (a name) Wren is also a family name, as in Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul's Cathedral in London. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons and bird watches in the UK and Ireland, the wren is one of the commonest birds; it hops in hedges and eats insects and spiders. In history and art lessons, Christopher Wren rebuilt many London churches after the Great Fire of London. In Irish tradition, Wren Day (St Stephen's Day) has the "wren boys" who go door to door in costumes. Phrases: «a jenny wren», «wren's nest», «Christopher Wren».

Examples

• A wren was singing loudly from the hedge. tree →
• The wren is tiny but very loud. tree →
• Wrens build round nests with a hole in the side. tree →
• Christopher Wren designed St Paul's Cathedral. tree →
• The wren's tail sticks straight up. tree →
• In Ireland, the wren boys dress up on St Stephen's Day. tree →
• "Will you take me?" said the wren. tree →

Note

Silent w: say it "ren". Plural «wrens». Capital W when it is a name. In North America there are other kinds of wrens, such as the house wren and the Carolina wren.