snowbird

[ snoh-burd ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of various birds that winter in a cold, snowy climate, especially the dark-eyed junco and the snow bunting.
Informal. a person who vacations in or moves to a warmer climate during cold weather:
Since 9/11, the ease with which Canadian snowbirds cross the U.S. border has changed.
Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a person addicted to cocaine or heroine:
The cocaine addiction of pre-talkies film star Alma Rubens earned her the unfortunate nickname “Silent Snowbird.”

snowbird

/ ˈ��əʊˌ��ɜː�� /

noun

another name for the snow bunting
slang.
a person addicted to cocaine, or sometimes heroin

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Word History and Origins

Origin of snowbird¹

First recorded in 1665–75; snow (in the sense “precipitation; snowflake”) + bird; 1910–15 snowbird fordef 3, with snow (in the sense “cocaine or heroin”)

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

One of the hardest hit places is the Coachella Valley, where snowbirds flock every winter, funneling millions into the local economy.

From

Canadian snowbirds are canceling vacations and selling property because of Trump.

From

With winter nights drawing in across North America, Canadian “snowbirds” – citizens who flee their freezing temperatures for sunnier climes every year – are planning their annual trips to Florida or the Caribbean.

From

“The snowbirds have all gone home,” he said.

From

The couple planned to become snowbirds, spending most of the year around grandchildren in Everett, then back north to their cabin on an island in Prince William Sound, in summertime.

From

snowberry snowblading

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