firefly

[fahyuhr-flahy]

noun

plural

fireflies 

1. any nocturnal beetle of the family Lampyridae, characterized by a soft body with a light-producing organ at the rear of the abdomen.

firefly

/ ˈfaɪəˌflaɪ /

noun

1. any nocturnal beetle of the family Lampyridae , common in warm and tropical regions, having luminescent abdominal organs See also glow-worm

2. any tropical American click beetle of the genus Pyrophorus , esp P. noctiluca , that have luminescent thoracic organs

Word History and Origins

Origin of firefly¹

First recorded in 1650–60; fire + fly ¹

Example Sentences

A hundred fireflies lounge on the blades of grass, like a galaxy of tiny suns.

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Wildflowers flashed like fireflies in the brooding jungle of “Floral Entrapment II,” which artist Ema Ri made by applying paint with their hands and nails.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The herd strolled out to graze under the stars, the children ran out to chase fireflies, and sometimes even Mr. Shareef stepped out to stretch his stiff legs.

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In a way, all animals make rhythms, whether in the form of fireflies flashing, birds chirping or even a tiger pacing back and forth.

Read more on Salon

A line in “Maybe Happy Ending” describes the lives of fireflies, the once-ubiquitous insects that magically produce their own light.

Read more on Los Angeles Times