damselfly

American  

[dam-zuhl-flahy] / ˈdæm zəlˌflaɪ /

noun

damselflies plural

1. any of numerous slender, nonstinging insects of the order Odonata (suborder Zygoptera), distinguished from the dragonflies by having the wings folded back in line with the body when at rest.

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damselfly British  

/ ˈdæmzəlˌflaɪ /

noun

1. any insect of the suborder Zygoptera similar to but smaller than dragonflies and usually resting with the wings closed over the back: order Odonata

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• damselflies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of damselfly

First recorded in 1805–15; damsel + fly ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

damselfly damselflies

A first-of-its-kind study of dragonfly and damselfly species in India's Western Ghats - one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots - has revealed findings that are both fascinating and worrying.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

For over 20 years, a research team at Lund University in Sweden has studied the common bluetail damselfly.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 17, 2023

The most underrepresented species, the researchers found, include critically endangered ones like the dinosaur ant of southern Australia, the crimson Hawaiian damselfly, and the harnessed tiger moth found in eastern North America.

From Salon ● Feb. 7, 2023

In other words, when rural or city damselfly and flea populations are matched, there seems to be more balance—as you’d expect if two populations are evolving in step with each other.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 25, 2022

She gobbled it down and chased a damselfly out the open door into the yard.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk

But up until now, the populations of dragonflies and damselflies in the region haven't been properly documented, he says.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

Hoyte notes, as has Andrus, that the paddies encourage ecological and wildlife diversity, attracting dragonflies, damselflies, frogs and many kinds of birds.

From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2023

Then, the new new normal: a mass extinction of insects, a “bug apocalypse” that causes Ottilie’s crickets to die in droves and untold numbers of damselflies and moths to blanket the ground like “beige snow.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2023

A towering magenta bromeliad with a pool at its core is home to frogs and damselflies.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 29, 2022

Pickerel frogs patrolled the damp fringes, and dragonflies and damselflies darted among the lily pads.

From New York Times ● Oct. 31, 2016