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drongo

Idiot, fool, slow-witted person.

ˈdrɒŋ.ɡoʊDocumented since 1920s1920sSilenthistoricalCurrent239 viewsLast reviewed Sep 6, 2026+ Add a definition
🇦🇺 Australian & NZ slang
3 definitions
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1920 · 1 year of recorded use
1920Born2026: 2 citationsToday, 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

Australia
#1·Apr 26, 2026AUS

Idiot, fool, slow-witted person. Mild affectionate insult.

"You're a drongo, mate."
Origin: Australian English from the 1920s; named after a horse called Drongo that famously never won a race.
Heard in the wild
  • “Dismal donnie the ugly thugly drongo.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #SeaBirds, birds that spend most of their time at Sea. The Alt Theme is #Black, birds that have mainly Black Plumage. The Drongo is black but the sun begs to differ. #birds 🪶”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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Australia
#2·May 2, 2026AUS

A fool, an idiot, a stupid fellow.

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Australia
#3·May 2, 2026AUS

Any bird of the genus .

For parents

Drongo means: Any bird of the genus .. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

drongo means: Any bird of the genus .. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

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Australia

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🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang

Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.

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