Words / C1

FLEJL-ing/ˈfledʒlɪŋ/

Fledgling as an adjective means new and not yet established: a fledgling charity, a fledgling industry. The noun is a young bird just able to fly. New is everyday; embryonic is even earlier; mature sits opposite. Do not treat novelty as a waiver of ethics.

Meaning

New and not yet established (of an organisation or activity).

Examples

• “A fledgling centre still files ethics; novelty is not a waiver.”
• “New is everyday. Nascent is a formal twin. Start-up is commercial. Age of the letterhead is not a methods holiday. Small and new still means a dated form. File it; then grow.”

Good to know

Young; not yet established. Everyday: new. Noun: a young bird. Novelty ≠ an ethics waiver.

Near in meaning

nascent

New