caterpillar
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for caterpillar, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The wormlike larval stage of a butterfly or moth.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
How to use caterpillar
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English catirpel, likely from Old Northern French words meaning "hairy cat," combining Late Latin catta ("cat") with pilosa ("hairy").
Full origin of caterpillar →Frequently asked questions
What does “caterpillar” mean?
The word “caterpillar” means the wormlike larval stage of a butterfly or moth. In plain terms, the larval, worm-like stage of a butterfly or moth before it becomes a chrysalis, or a tracked vehicle.
How do you pronounce “caterpillar”?
“Caterpillar” is pronounced KA-tuh-pih-luh (/ˈkætɚˌpɪlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “caterpillar” in a sentence?
Here is “caterpillar” used in a sentence: “A fat green caterpillar was munching on the cabbage leaves.”
What part of speech is “caterpillar”?
“Caterpillar” is a noun.
Where does the word “caterpillar” come from?
The word “caterpillar” comes from Late Latin. From Middle English catirpel, likely from Old Northern French words meaning "hairy cat," combining Late Latin catta ("cat") with pilosa ("hairy").
Is “caterpillar” a common word?
“Caterpillar” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “caterpillar” have?
“Caterpillar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the wormlike larval stage of a butterfly or moth.