mosquito
1 synonym for mosquito, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small biting insect whose females feed on blood and can spread diseases such as malaria.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use mosquito
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
mosquito bite
mosquito net
mosquito repellent
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish mosquito, "little fly", from mosca ("fly") plus a diminutive ending, ultimately from Latin musca.
Full origin of mosquito →Frequently asked questions
What does “mosquito” mean?
The word “mosquito” means a small biting insect whose females feed on blood and can spread diseases such as malaria. In plain terms, a small flying insect known for biting and spreading disease.
How do you pronounce “mosquito”?
“Mosquito” is pronounced mo-SKEE-toh (/məsˈki.toʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “mosquito” in a sentence?
Here is “mosquito” used in a sentence: “A cloud of mosquitoes descended on the campsite at dusk.”
What part of speech is “mosquito”?
“Mosquito” is a noun.
Where does the word “mosquito” come from?
The word “mosquito” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Spanish mosquito, "little fly", from mosca ("fly") plus a diminutive ending, ultimately from Latin musca.
Is “mosquito” a common word?
“Mosquito” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Why do mosquitoes bite people?
Only female mosquitoes bite, feeding on blood to obtain protein needed to develop their eggs. Male mosquitoes do not bite and typically feed on plant nectar instead.
What diseases can mosquitoes spread?
Mosquitoes can spread diseases such as malaria through their bites, along with other illnesses transmitted when they feed on blood. This makes mosquito control an important public health concern in many regions.
What is the difference between a mosquito and a gnat?
Mosquitoes are a specific type of small biting insect whose females feed on blood and can spread disease, while "gnat" is a broader informal term covering various small flying insects, not all of which bite or carry disease. Not every gnat is a mosquito, though mosquitoes are sometimes loosely called gnats in casual speech.
