noun
Uncommon
beetle
BEE-tuhl
Beetle (noun) means an insect with hard, protective forewings that cover its flying wings. Example: “A large black beetle crawled across the porch.”
noun
1
An insect with hard, protective forewings that cover its flying wings.
"A large black beetle crawled across the porch."
verb
1
To move away hastily or scurry off.
"Her eyes still closed, his aunt smiled cruelly. “I know what you are dying to say, Bertie. Go ahead—take the cheap shot. I’ll squash you like the nasty little bug you are.” ¶ Thus chastened, the little man beetled away."
— James Doss, The Witch's Tongue (2005)
"He beetled off down the corridor before anyone could stop him."
"He beetled off on his vacation."
How to use beetle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hard-shelled insect, or (informally) to scurry away quickly.
Common pairings
beetle off
a black beetle
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Word forms
- Plural
- beetles
- Third person singular
- beetles
- Past tense
- beetled
- Comparative
- more beetle
- Superlative
- most beetle
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A large black _____ crawled across the porch.
Etymology
From Old English bitela, related to "bite" — the name likely referred to the insect's biting mouthparts.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “beetle” mean?
The word “beetle” means an insect with hard, protective forewings that cover its flying wings. In plain terms, a hard-shelled insect, or (informally) to scurry away quickly.
How do you pronounce “beetle”?
“Beetle” is pronounced BEE-tuhl (/ˈbiːtəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “beetle” in a sentence?
Here is “beetle” used in a sentence: “A large black beetle crawled across the porch.”
What part of speech is “beetle”?
Depending on how it is used, “beetle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “beetle” come from?
The word “beetle” comes from Old English. From Old English bitela, related to "bite" — the name likely referred to the insect's biting mouthparts.
Is “beetle” a common word?
“Beetle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “beetle” have?
“Beetle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an insect with hard, protective forewings that cover its flying wings.
What is the difference between a beetle and a bug?
A beetle is a specific type of insect defined by hard, protective forewings that shield its flying wings underneath. 'Bug' is a much looser, informal term that people often apply to almost any small insect, so all beetles are bugs in casual speech, but not all bugs are beetles.
What does it mean when someone says a person 'beetled off'?
As a verb, to beetle means to move away hastily or scurry off, so 'she beetled off down the street' describes someone leaving quickly. This usage is informal and typically describes a brisk, slightly comic departure rather than a calm walk.
Why is the Volkswagen Beetle called a beetle?
The car's rounded, domed shape resembles the body of the insect, which is why it earned the nickname Beetle. When referring specifically to the car model, Beetle is capitalized as a proper noun, unlike the lowercase word for the insect.
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