[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/jailbird/)

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# jailbird

noun (a jailbird, jailbirds) — informal

«jailbird» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

(informal, old-fashioned) A person who is in prison or has often been in prison. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/jailbird/#m1)

### In the lessons

In stories, cartoons and old films about criminals. It is a joking or rude label. Phrases: an old jailbird.

### Examples

- The jailbird escaped through a tunnel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/jailbird/#x1)
- In the cartoon the jailbird wore a striped suit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/jailbird/#x2)
- Grandad called the villain an old jailbird. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/jailbird/#x3)
- The story is about a jailbird who turns his life around. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/jailbird/#x4)
- The jailbird was back behind bars. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/jailbird/#x5)
- Calling someone a jailbird is not kind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/jailbird/#x6)

### Note

Informal. Also gaolbird (old British spelling: gaol = jail). Plural jailbirds.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «jailbird» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/J/jailbird/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«jailbird» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/jailbird.html) on Mova free.