‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’: Definition, Meaning and Examples

What does it mean when someone says, ‘birds of a feather flock together’? Below, we’ll go over the definition and meaning, plus you’ll get to see some examples of how to use the phrase in a sentence.

In short:

• ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ means that people with similar interests usually hang out together.

Essentially, it means that people tend to connect and feel safe around others with similar interests.

What Does ‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’ Mean?

‘Birds of a feather flock together’ is a phrase that people use to mean that people with similar interests and tastes usually form groups together. It might be used to look down on someone or a group of people.

For example, if you see someone following the crowd to do something bad (like steal something from the store), you might say to yourself:

‘Well, birds of a feather flock together.’

The people in a group could be similar in type, interest, personality, character, or another attribute. But it could also be that they’re hanging out because they all share a common interest, such as playing cards or playing basketball.

You might also see the phrase mashed up and remixed a little bit.

In the movie, The Jungle Book, the panther says:

‘Birds of a feather should flock together.’

In the movie Chicken Run (2000), one rat says to another:

‘Birds of a feather flop together.’

Where Does ‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’ Come From? 

The phrase ‘birds of a feather flock together’ dates back to the 16^th century when it was used by William Turner in a poem in 1545 called Rescuing of Romish Fox.

It read:

‘Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye always together.’

The first time it was printed was in 1599 in The Dictionarie in Spanish and English created by John Minsheu.

It read:

'Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.'

Some people believe that the phrase made its appearance even earlier in 380 BC in Plato’s Republic.

In one translation, a line reads:

'Men of my age flock together; we are birds of a feather, as the old proverb says.’

Examples of ‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’ in Sentences 

How would you use ‘birds of a feather flock together’ in a sentence?

Let’s look at some examples:

• The five most popular girls at my high school are close. My mom says birds of a feather flock together, and she’s so right about them. They’re always together, and they’re all into fashion and makeup.
• My brother shed some light on why my best friend stopped talking to me. He told me she’s not into the same things anymore and I should probably find some new friends.
• My sister is such a sheep. She does whatever her little friends do. But I guess birds of a feather flock together, right?
• Birds of a feather flock together, which is why I don’t talk to Sammy anymore. She’s more into volleyball now, and she hangs out with her team. I’m more into debate club.
• I can’t believe Maya chose to be friends with those girls in gymnastics over me. What do they have that I don’t? I’ve been a great friend to her for over seven years.
• Miss Liza says that birds of a feather flock together. I think she was trying to make me feel better when my girlfriends started acting differently once we graduated middle school. She helped me understand that people change, and friendships evolve and sometimes end.
• My mom always goes out with a group of women that like to travel. They always go on group trips together and explore the world. I guess birds of a feather flock together.
• If you just look around a college campus, it’s obvious that birds of a feather flock together. The drama kids hang out with the drama kids, and the athletes hang out with other athletes. It’s pretty obvious.

Other Ways to Say ‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’

What other words and phrases convey the same meaning as ‘birds of a feather flock together’?

Let’s see some examples:

• You are the company you keep
• You are the people you surround yourself with
• Like attracts like
• Close friends
• Painted with the same brush
• Peas in a pod
• Two of a kind
• Great minds think alike
• Bobbsey twins
• Friends
• Workmates
• Familiars
• Besties
• Companions
• Playmates
• Confidantes
• Those with a commonality
• People that have things in common tend to stick together
• People with similar interests tend to hang out together
• People that think the same usually hang out together

Concluding Thoughts on ‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’

To recap, we learned the following:

• ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ means that people with similar interests usually hang out together.

Essentially, it means that people tend to connect and feel safe around others with similar interests.

If you ever get stuck on usage or meaning, you can always come back here to review what you learned. We’ve also got a content library full of articles on idioms. Go check it out. You might find it useful as you’re learning the English language.