bug

Pronunciation

• enPR: bŭg, IPA ^(key): /bʌɡ/
• SAMPA: /bVg/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular bug

Plural bugs

Aphids are bugs

1. An insect of the order Hemiptera (the "true bugs").
2. Any insect or spider may often be called a bug.

   These flies are a bother. I’ll get some bug spray and kill them.

3. A problem that needs fixing, especially in computing.

   The computer program has a bug in it.

4. A contagious illness caused by bacteria or a virus.

   He’s got the flu bug.

5. An enthusiasm for something; an obsession.

   I think he’s a gold bug, he has over 10,000 ounces in storage.

   to catch the skiing bug

6. An electronic listening device.

   We installed a bug in her telephone.

7. A small or invisible image on a webpage that is used to track persons who viewed it.

   He suspected the image was a web bug used for determining who was visiting the site.

8. A small, usually transparent or translucent image placed in a corner of a television program to indicate what network or cable channel is televising it.

   He did not like the network bug that appeared onscreen.

9. Figurative – A manually positioned marker in flight instruments.
10. A semi-automated telegraph key.

Verb

Plain form bug

Third-person singular bugs

Past tense bugged

Past participle bugged

Present participle bugging

1. (transitive); (informal) To annoy.

   Don’t bug me, I’m busy!

2. (transitive) To put an electronic listening device somewhere.

   We need to know what’s going on. We’ll bug his house.