Thrush is a word with several quite different meanings. It can refer to a type of songbirdA bird known for producing pleasant or musical sounds., a fungalRelated to fungi, living organisms like mushrooms and molds. infection in the mouth, or, less commonly, a woman who sings popularWidely liked by many people; enjoyed by the general public. songs.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /θrʌʃ/
Easy pronunciation: THRUSH (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, so the single syllable is stressed.
Bird sense: a songbird with brown upper plumage and a spotted breast.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Thrush Meaning
a type of songbird, usually brown with a spotted chest
Part of speech: noun
Definition: songbirds characteristically having brownish upper plumage with a spotted breast
Example: A thrush was singing in the garden at dawn.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- songbird — A broad and practical substitute for the bird sense, though less specific than thrush.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Thrush
Meaning 2
a fungal infection in the mouth
Part of speech: noun
Definition: candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults
Example: The baby was treated for thrush.
Meaning 3
a female popular singer
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a woman who sings popular songs
Example: She was known as a thrush in the early days of radio.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Thrush Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- songbird
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse thrush the bird with thrush the mouth infection.
- The word can also mean a woman who sings popular songs, but that sense is rare today.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main meaning of thrush?
The most common everyday meaning is the bird sense: a thrush is a songbird with a spotted breast.
Is thrush a bird or an infection?
It can be both. Thrush most often means a type of bird, but it also means a fungal infection in the mouth.
What are synonyms for thrush?
For the bird sense, a close general synonym is songbird. The other senses do not have strong direct synonyms.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.