Sparrow vs. Dove — What's the Difference?

Any of various small birds of the family Emberizidae, having brownish or grayish plumage and found throughout the Americas, such as the song sparrow.

A stocky bird with a small head, short legs, and a cooing voice, feeding on seeds or fruit. Doves are generally smaller and more delicate than pigeons, but many kinds have been given both names.

Any of various birds of the family Passeridae, especially the house sparrow.

A person who advocates peaceful or conciliatory policies, especially in foreign affairs

Any of various similar birds of other families, such as the Java sparrow.

(in Christian art and poetry) the Holy Spirit (as represented in John 1:32).

The house sparrow, Passer domesticus; a small bird with a short bill, and brown, white and gray feathers.

Any of various widely distributed birds of the family Columbidae, which includes the pigeons, having a small head and a characteristic cooing call.

A member of the family Passeridae, comprising small Old World songbirds.

A gentle, innocent person.

A member of the family Emberizidae, comprising small New World songbirds.

A person who advocates peace, conciliation, or negotiation in preference to confrontation or armed conflict.

Generically, any small, nondescript bird.

See Columba.

A quick-witted, lively person.

A past tense of dive1. See Usage Note at dive1.

One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligæ, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe (Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House.

(countable) A pigeon, especially one smaller in size and white-colored; a bird (often arbitrarily called either a pigeon or a dove or both) of more than 300 species of the family Columbidae.

Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See under Hedge.

A person favouring conciliation and negotiation rather than conflict.

Any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

(countable) Term of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.

Small brownish European songbird

A greyish, bluish, pinkish colour like that of the bird.

Strong dive

(non-standard) dive

A pigeon of the genus Columba and various related genera. The species are numerous.

A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.

A person advocating peace, compromise or conciliation rather than war or conflict. Opposite of hawk.

Any of numerous small pigeons

Someone who prefers negotiations to armed conflict in the conduct of foreign relations

A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Puppis and Caelum

Flesh of a pigeon suitable for roasting or braising; flesh of a dove (young squab) may be broiled

An emblem of peace