fledgling
/ˈflɛd͡ʒ.lɪŋ/
Group 21Difficulty 2/3
Definitions
- (adjective)
- New and inexperienced; emerging GRE
- (noun)
- A young bird that has just fledged; a new and inexperienced person GRE
Example in Context
The fledgling democracy struggled to establish institutions capable of withstanding the pressures exerted by entrenched interests.
Synonyms
newbiebeginnernovice
Etymology
Refers to a young bird that has just grown its feathers.
- fledge (Old English) — to grow feathers
Memory Aid
🐣Sounds like “fledgling sounds like 'fledgling ninja'”
A FLEDGLING NINJA stumbles around, trying to master karate — it’s just a baby!
Visual Association
🕊️A tiny bird awkwardly flapping its wings, trying to fly for the very first time.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “fledgling” mean on the GRE?
fledgling (adjective) means “New and inexperienced; emerging”. The fledgling democracy struggled to establish institutions capable of withstanding the pressures exerted by entrenched interests.
How to remember “fledgling” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “fledgling” sounds like “fledgling sounds like 'fledgling ninja'”. A FLEDGLING NINJA stumbles around, trying to master karate — it’s just a baby!
What are synonyms for “fledgling”?
Common synonyms: newbie, beginner, novice.