canary
Caged pet bird
A canary is a small yellow songbird, originally from the Canary Islands, popular as a cage bird for its melodious singing.
The bright yellow color gives rise to canary as a color term.
A canary in a coal mine—historically used to detect toxic gases—now means any early warning indicator: The housing market is the canary in the coal mine for the broader economy.
In slang, a canary is an informant who sings to authorities. (Capitalized Canary refers to the Canary Islands.)
Melodious perching avian
- finchSmall seed-eating songbird
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- beakHorny avian mouthpart
wings · chirp · warble · trill · perch · cage · birdseed · nest
Underground fuel extraction site
- toxicCapable of causing harm
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- dangerExposure to harm
- warningAlert about danger
sentinel · indicator · safety · fumes · shaft · underground · carbon monoxide · alarm
One who tells authorities
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- tipsterOne who shares predictions
- informerOne who reveals secrets
- leakEscape through a breach
rat · fink · squealer · tattletale · insider · witness · testimony · expose
Emitting or reflecting light
- vividIntensely clear and bright
- lemonAcidic yellow citrus
- goldElement seventy-nine
- saffronCrocus-derived golden spice
sunshine · buttercup · daffodil · mustard · amber · primrose · citrine · flaxen
Largest Canary Island
- LanzaroteEasternmost Canary Island
- AtlanticOcean bordering Europe
- SpanishLanguage of Iberia
- archipelagoChain of scattered islands
volcanic · resort · beach · tourism · subtropical
songbird
Melodious perching avian
- finchSmall seed-eating songbird
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
beak · wings · chirp · warble · trill · perch · cage · birdseed · nest · aviary
coal mine
Underground fuel extraction site
warning · sentinel · indicator · safety · fumes · shaft · underground · carbon monoxide · alarm · precaution
snitch
One who tells authorities
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- tipsterOne who shares predictions
- informerOne who reveals secrets
leak · rat · fink · squealer · tattletale · insider · witness · testimony · expose · undercover
bright
Emitting or reflecting light
saffron · sunshine · buttercup · daffodil · mustard · amber · primrose · citrine · flaxen · banana
Tenerife
Largest Canary Island
archipelago · volcanic · resort · beach · tourism · subtropical
canarynavy
Maritime military force
midnight blue · navy blue · indigo · violet · purple
canarystand-up guy
Dependable, honorable person
omertà · solid · tight-lipped · stonewaller · ride-or-die
- canary in the coal mineEarly indicator of danger
- canary in a coal mineEarly warning of danger
- canaries in the coal mineEarly indicators of danger
- canary yellowVivid warm citrus shade
- cat that swallowed the canarySmugly pleased with oneself
- canaries in coal minesBirds detecting poisonous air