lovebug

[luhv-buhg]

noun

1. a small, dark fly (Plecia nearctica ), found in the southeastern United States and parts of Central America, commonly seen in swarms during its mating season.

2. a person or animal who is particularly affectionate, lovable, or beloved (used as a term of endearment, often for pets).

   If you prefer to spend evenings snuggling on the couch with a dog, this mellow, shy-but-sweet lovebug could be your perfect companion.

   Thankfully my daughter, my little lovebug, was born healthy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lovebug¹

First recorded in 1905–10 lovebug for def. 1, and in 1935–40 lovebug for def. 2; love ( def. ) + bug ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

So ubiquitous is this loathing that conservative lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo recently summoned a lovebug metaphor to criticize liberal president Lee Jae-myung’s latest cabinet-level hire, a former provincial governor who was convicted for his involvement in a political scandal in 2019.

From Los Angeles Times

Lovebug Starski died in 2018 at the age of 57.

From Los Angeles Times

Then this week, Simmons posted a video eulogizing his friend, saying that Cheeba was part of a DJ trio — alongside DJ Hollywood and Lovebug Starski — who were integral in the creation of recorded hip-hop.

From Los Angeles Times

He later added that without Cheeba, along with DJ Hollywood and Lovebug Starski, “There would be no hip-hop records.”

From Los Angeles Times

Sophie and Lovebug are the same.

From Literature