plural moths ˈmȯt͟hz How to pronounce moth (audio) ˈmȯths How to pronounce moth (audio)
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: any of various usually nocturnal lepidopteran insects with antennae that are often feathery, with a stouter body, duller coloring, and proportionately smaller wings than the butterflies, and with larvae that are plant-eating caterpillars
mothlike adjective
mothy adjective

Examples of moth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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However, the food web is complicated, and just because the warmer weather benefits the moths on paper doesn’t mean the moths will end up on top. Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024 Solitary bees, bumble bees, moths, and butterflies—whether as eggs, pupae, or adults—often use the leaf layer for warmth and protection during the cold winter months. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2024 Search for bees, butterflies, moths and other critical species this month in Plano. Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 18 Sep. 2024 The larval stage, when the moth is a caterpillar, is the problem. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 10 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for moth 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mothe, from Old English moththe; akin to Middle High German motte moth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of moth was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near moth

Cite this Entry

“Moth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moth. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

moth

noun
plural moths ˈmȯt͟hz How to pronounce moth (audio) ˈmȯths How to pronounce moth (audio)
: any of a group of night-flying insects that are lepidopterans often with duller coloring, stouter bodies, and smaller wings than the related butterflies and with antennae which are often feathery

More from Merriam-Webster on moth

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