grasshopper

noun

grass·​hop·​per ˈgras-ˌhä-pər How to pronounce grasshopper (audio)
1
: any of numerous plant-eating orthopterous insects (Acrididae, Tettigoniidae, and some related families) having the hind legs adapted for leaping and sometimes engaging in migratory flights in which whole regions may be stripped of vegetation
2
: a cocktail made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and light cream

Examples of grasshopper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Man is too much of a grasshopper to do anything like putting a ring on somebody. — Guy Martin, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 Monica's pick: The grasshopper and warm olives with Parmesan cheese ($8.95). — Monica Eng, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025 Stephens is a study bug with no social life, the ant to Adam’s easygoing grasshopper. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025 But insects remain, as the title suggests, front and center in an inventive, enchanting, if a little unsettling, look at how a bunch of bugs (and one frog) celebrate Christmas that climaxes with Santa, a grasshopper, and assorted other bugs skating on a frozen lake. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for grasshopper

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grasshopper was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing grasshopper

Rhymes for grasshopper

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Browse Nearby Words

grasshop
grasshopper
grasshopper hawk
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Cite this Entry

“Grasshopper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grasshopper. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

grasshopper

noun
grass·​hop·​per ˈgras-ˌhäp-ər How to pronounce grasshopper (audio)
: any of numerous plant-eating insects that have long hind legs used for leaping

More from Merriam-Webster on grasshopper

Nglish: Translation of grasshopper for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grasshopper

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