gadfly

American  

[gad-flahy] / ˈgædˌflaɪ /

noun

plural

gadflies

1. any of various flies, fly, as a stable fly or warble fly, that bite or annoy domestic animals.

2. a person who persistently annoys or provokes others with criticism, schemes, ideas, demands, requests, etc.

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gadfly British  

/ ˈɡædˌflaɪ /

noun

1. any of various large dipterous flies, esp the horsefly, that annoy livestock by sucking their blood

2. a constantly irritating or harassing person

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Usage

What does gadfly mean? A gadfly is a person who’s always hanging around and annoying people with criticism, demands, and questions. Basically, the kind of person you want to shoo away like a biting insect. Speaking of which ...The literal meaning of gadfly refers to any of several types of flies (such as stable flies or warble flies) that are known for pestering livestock by biting them and sucking their blood.Example: Don’t mind him—he’s just a gadfly who comes to every council meeting to request that the town pay to put a trampoline park in his backyard.

Etymology

Origin of gadfly

First recorded in 1585–95; gad ² + fly ¹

Example Sentences

The term “gadfly” often is bandied about local government to describe those who never miss a public meeting.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s because in Austin, Harrison is viewed as a gadfly, with few legislative victories or allies.

From Salon

The Legislature was coming after the gadflies like Gilbert.

From Salon

The discord spread online, as social media gadflies claimed Luna had thrown his own deputy under the bus by notifying federal law enforcement officials about the incident — an allegation Luna has repeatedly said is false.

From Los Angeles Times

But, in a new case, one gadfly is barred from going to meetings altogether.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• motivator