fledgling

UK: /ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ/ US: /ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ/ ,(flej′ling)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

fledg•ling /ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ/   n. [countable]

1. Birds a young bird that has recently grown its feathers.
2. an inexperienced person;
   beginner.

adj. [before a noun]

3. new;
   inexperienced:
   a fledgling pilot; a fledgling business.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] ˈfledge•ling. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

fledg•ling  (flej′ling), n. 

1. Birds a young bird just fledged.
2. an inexperienced person.

adj. 

3. young, new, or inexperienced:
   a fledgling diver.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] fledge′ling. 

• fledge + -ling¹ 1820–30

Synonyms

• 2. . novice, tyro, beginner, freshman, greenhorn.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fledgling, fledgeling / ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ/ noun

1. a young bird that has just fledged
2. a young and inexperienced or untried person, organization or system
3. (as modifier): a fledgling government