cockroach

[ kok-rohch ]
/ ˈkɒkˌroʊtʃ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR cockroach ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any of numerous orthopterous insects of the family Blattidae, characterized by a flattened body, rapid movements, and nocturnal habits and including several common household pests.

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Also called roach.
Compare American cockroach, German cockroach, oriental cockroach.

Origin of cockroach

1615–25; < Spanish cucaracha, of uncertain origin, assimilated by folk etymology to cock1, roach2

Words nearby cockroach

cockney, cockney bream, cockneyfy, cockneyism, cockpit, cockroach, cockscomb, cocksfoot, cockshot, cockshut, cockshy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to cockroach

tick, vermin, pest, mite, bee, butterfly, gnat, dragonfly, moth, grasshopper, spider, termite, ant, mosquito, beetle, flea, aphid, ladybug, fly, louse

Example sentences from the Web for cockroach

British Dictionary definitions for cockroach

cockroach
/ (ˈkɒkˌrəʊtʃ) /

noun

any insect of the suborder Blattodea (or Blattaria), such as Blatta orientalis (oriental cockroach or black beetle): order Dictyoptera ., They have an oval flattened body with long antennae and biting mouthparts and are common household pestsSee also German cockroach, mantis

Word Origin for cockroach

C17: from Spanish cucaracha, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012