ant
ant
Ant (noun) means a small insect that lives in large, highly organized colonies, usually working in groups to gather food and build nests. Example: “A line of ants marched across the kitchen counter toward the crumbs.”
noun
1
A small insect that lives in large, highly organized colonies, usually working in groups to gather food and build nests.
"A line of ants marched across the kitchen counter toward the crumbs."
"The children watched the ants carry a leaf many times their own size."
"An ant crawled up my leg while we were having a picnic."
How to use ant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tiny, hardworking insect that lives in colonies.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ant colony
ant hill
worker ant
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Word forms
- Plural
- ants
- Third person singular
- ants
- Past tense
- anted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A line of _____ marched across the kitchen counter toward the crumbs.
Etymology
From Old English aemete ("ant"), probably originally meaning "biting thing, cutter."
Synonyms
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emmet
pismire
Related words
Rhymes for ant
See all rhymes for ant →Frequently asked questions
What does “ant” mean?
The word “ant” means a small insect that lives in large, highly organized colonies, usually working in groups to gather food and build nests. In plain terms, a tiny, hardworking insect that lives in colonies.
How do you pronounce “ant”?
“Ant” is pronounced ant (/ænt/ in IPA).
How do you use “ant” in a sentence?
Here is “ant” used in a sentence: “A line of ants marched across the kitchen counter toward the crumbs.”
What part of speech is “ant”?
“Ant” is a noun.
Where does the word “ant” come from?
The word “ant” comes from Old English. From Old English aemete ("ant"), probably originally meaning "biting thing, cutter.".
Is “ant” a common word?
“Ant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between an ant and a termite?
Both are small social insects that live in large colonies, but ants have a narrow, pinched waist and bent (elbowed) antennae, while termites have a broad waist and straight antennae. They belong to different insect groups despite their similar colony lifestyles.
What is a group of ants called?
A group of ants living and working together is called a colony. Ants are highly social and usually cooperate in groups to gather food and build nests.
What is the difference between ants and bees?
Ants and bees are both social insects that live in organized colonies, but bees are typically winged and covered in fine hairs for collecting pollen, while worker ants are wingless and forage on the ground and build nests. They are related insects with different lifestyles.
Why do ants live in colonies?
Ants live in large, highly organized colonies because working together lets them gather food, defend the nest, and raise young far more effectively than any individual could alone. This cooperation is a defining feature of ant behaviour.
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