no-see-um

[ noh-see-uhm ]
See synonyms for no-see-um on Thesaurus.com
nounNorthern and Western U.S.

Origin of no-see-um

1
An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; from the broken English phrase (You) don't see 'em, supposedly used by American Indians

Words Nearby no-see-um

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use no-see-um in a sentence

  • Seattle is bad enough—it's so big that I feel like a no-see-um in a Norway pine reserve.

    Free Air | Sinclair Lewis
  • There is another pest of the North Woods which the guides call the no-see-um.

    On the Trail | Lina Beard and Adelia Belle Beard