Hatchling - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A hatchling is a young animal, especially a bird or reptile, that has recently emerged from its egg. The term highlights the early stage of life right after hatching.
Definition:
A recently hatched bird, reptile, or other egg-laying animal.
Synonyms:
chick, fledgling, newborn, nestling
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
adult, mature animal
Common Collocations:
turtle hatchling, bird hatchling, reptile hatchling, newly hatched hatchling
Derivatives:
hatchlings, hatcheries
Usage Tips:
Use "hatchling" to describe young animals that have just emerged from eggs; avoid for mammals or non-egg-laying species.
Common Phrases:
hatchling season, hatchling survival, fragile hatchling
Etymology:
Derived from "hatch" (to emerge from an egg) + "-ling" (a suffix indicating smallness or youth).
Examples:
- 1. The turtle hatchling crawled toward the ocean.
- 2. We watched the bird hatchlings chirp in their nest.
- 3. The zoo displayed several reptile hatchlings in the exhibit.
- 4. Hatchlings are vulnerable to predators in the wild.