butterfly

8 synonyms for butterfly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — An insect with large, often brightly patterned wings, known for its delicate flight.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

romance

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

flirt mash

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

spatchcock coquet philander dally coquette

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

An insect with large, often brightly patterned wings, known for its delicate flight.

“A butterfly fluttered past the window and settled on the lavender.”

spatchcock

2. verb

To slice food almost all the way through and open it flat like a book.

“I usually butterfly the prawns so they cook quickly and look impressive.”

coquet philander flirt mash romance dally coquette

How to use butterfly

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

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Etymology

From Old English buterflēoge, literally "butter-fly." No one is fully sure why — theories range from the insect's yellowish color, an old belief that butterflies stole milk or butter, to a folk idea that they excreted a butter-like substance.

Full origin of butterfly →

Frequently asked questions

What does “butterfly” mean?

The word “butterfly” means an insect with large, often brightly patterned wings, known for its delicate flight. In plain terms, the flying insect, the swimming stroke, or (as a verb) to slice and flatten food like a book.

How do you pronounce “butterfly”?

“Butterfly” is pronounced BUH-tuh-fleye ([ˈbʌ.ɾɚ.flaɪ] in IPA).

How do you use “butterfly” in a sentence?

Here is “butterfly” used in a sentence: “A monarch butterfly landed on the flower.”

What part of speech is “butterfly”?

Depending on how it is used, “butterfly” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “butterfly” come from?

The word “butterfly” comes from Old English.

Is “butterfly” a common word?

“Butterfly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “butterfly” have?

“Butterfly” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an insect with large, often brightly patterned wings, known for its delicate flight.

What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?

Butterflies and moths are closely related insects, but butterflies typically fly by day, have brightly patterned wings, and have thin antennae with small clubs at the tips. Moths are more often active at night and usually have feathery or thread-like antennae.

What is the butterfly in swimming?

The butterfly is a swimming stroke in which both arms move together in a circular motion while the legs perform a dolphin-like kick. It is regarded as one of the most physically demanding strokes.

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romance mash flirt coquet dally spatchcock coquette

Nearby words

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