mayfly

[ mey-flahy ]

/ ˈmeɪˌflaɪ /

Save This Word!

noun, plural may·flies.

Also called shadfly . any insect of the order Ephemeroptera, having delicate, membranous wings with the front pair much larger than the rear and having an aquatic larval stage and a terrestrial adult stage usually lasting less than two days.

Also May fly .Angling. an artificial fly made to resemble this insect.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of mayfly

First recorded in 1645–55; May + fly¹

Words nearby mayfly

Mayfield, Mayfield Heights, mayfish, Mayflower, Mayflower compact, mayfly, mayhap, mayhappen, mayhem, Mayhew, Maying

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mayfly in a sentence

But, alarmed at his own philosophy, he went to the paddock gate to watch the Mayfly filly canter down.
The Forsyte Saga, Volume III.|John Galsworthy
The Mayfly filly passed under the hammer at seven hundred and fifty guineas.
The Forsyte Saga, Volume III.|John Galsworthy
For these articles the season is almost as brief as the season of the mayfly or the grannom.
Social Origins and Primal Law|Andrew Lang
Izaak, or his publisher Marriott, cunningly brought out the book at a season when men expect the Mayfly.
Andrew Lang's Introduction to The Compleat Angler|Andrew Lang

This defect was remedied by a series of alterations, and meanwhile the unofficial title of 'Mayfly' was given to the vessel.
A History of Aeronautics|E. Charles Vivian

British Dictionary definitions for mayfly

mayfly

/ (ˈmeɪˌflaɪ) /

noun plural -flies

Also called: dayfly any insect of the order Ephemeroptera (or Ephemerida). The short-lived adults, found near water, have long tail appendages and large transparent wings; the larvae are aquatic

angling an artificial fly resembling this

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