moth

[mawth, moth]

noun

plural

moths 

1. any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera, generally distinguished from the butterflies by having feathery antennae and by having crepuscular or nocturnal habits.

2. clothes moth.

moth

/ mɒθ /

noun

1. any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera that typically have stout bodies with antennae of various shapes (but not clubbed), including large brightly coloured species, such as hawk moths, and small inconspicuous types, such as the clothes moths Compare butterfly

Other Word Forms

• demoth verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of moth¹

before 950; Middle English motthe, Old English moththe; akin to German Motte, Old Norse motti

Word History and Origins

Origin of moth¹

Old English moththe; compare Middle Dutch motte, Old Norse motti

Example Sentences

Daddy would point out the moths, carpenter ants, and roly-poly bugs beneath the bark of dead logs.

Read more on Literature

"Everyone else is like a moth to flame."

Read more on Barron's

Not only is the result prettier than grass, the plants also support pollinators like moths and butterflies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Not just for the beautiful colours but for the vibrancy of the bees, butterflies and moths flying around, which need that habitat.

Read more on BBC

San Diego had little pockets of cultural insurrection that Crowe sought out like a moth to flame.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ant 
• aphid 
• bee 
• beetle 
• butterfly 
• cockroach 
• dragonfly 
• flea 
• fruit fly 
• gnat 
• grasshopper 
• ladybug 
• mite 
• mosquito 
• pest 
• spider 
• termite 
• tick