insect

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈɪnsɛkt/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

Singular insect

Plural insects

Picture dictionary Picture dictionary

insect

ant ant bee bee beetle beetle butterfly butterfly dragonfly dragonfly fly fly spider spider termite termite wasp wasp

1. A type of small animal with an external skeleton and six legs.
   • Synonym: bug

   I killed a large insect in the bathroom.

   Crickets, ants, ladybugs, and flies are insects.

2. (figurative) A person who is weak or not important.
   • Synonym: weakling
   • Antonym: big dog

   The mayor thought of her as a mere insect.

Derived words

• insecticide
• insectivore

Related words

• colony
• exoskeleton
• hive