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

Caddisflies, of which there are about 200 species in the UK, look similar to moths and have hairy wings.

From BBC

Prof Russell Wynn, Director of Wild New Forest, said the Little Arboreal Ladybird's had been found in moth traps across the New Forest but "there were no confirmed British Records prior to this influx".

From BBC

Harley is a rescue hound, of indeterminate but clearly mixed breed, who is given to leaping in the air to snap at moths and making vain but enthusiastic attempts to catch lizards.

From Los Angeles Times

While some gleefully joined in the mauling, others were attracted to the film like moths to a flame.

From BBC

The researchers did a series of carefully controlled experiments to ensure that the moths were responding to the sound and not the appearance of the plants.

From BBC

Related Words

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