noun
bedbug
BED-bug
Bedbug (noun) means a small nocturnal insect that feeds on human blood, typically while people sleep. Example: “The hotel had to close a room after guests found bedbugs in the mattress.”
noun
1
A small nocturnal insect that feeds on human blood, typically while people sleep.
"The hotel had to close a room after guests found bedbugs in the mattress."
"Bedbugs are active at night and bite sleeping people."
"They washed all the bedding at a high temperature to get rid of the bedbugs."
How to use bedbug
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tiny insect that lives near beds and bites people at night.
When to use it
It is an everyday word and is also used in pest-control writing.
Memory tip
You can write it as one word or two, so follow whichever your style guide prefers.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
bedbug infestation
bedbug bites
bedbugs in the mattress
get rid of bedbugs
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like bedbug.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hotel had to close a room after guests found _____ in the mattress.
Etymology
Bedbug is a compound of the words bed and bug. It can also be written as two words, bed bug, or with a hyphen.
Synonyms
View more →
chinch
Frequently asked questions
What is a bedbug?
It is a small nocturnal insect pest that feeds on the blood of humans during sleep.
Is it bedbug or bed bug?
Both are accepted. Bedbug, bed bug and bed-bug are all recorded forms.
What is the plural of bedbug?
The plural is bedbugs.
What is the meaning of bedbug?
"bedbug" (noun) means a small nocturnal insect that feeds on human blood, typically while people sleep.
