noun

bumblebee

BUHM-buhl-bee

Bumblebee (noun) means any of several species of large, furry bee in the genus Bombus, known for their loud buzz. Example: “A bumblebee drifted lazily between the lavender blooms.”

noun

Any of several species of large, furry bee in the genus Bombus, known for their loud buzz.

"A bumblebee drifted lazily between the lavender blooms."

How to use bumblebee

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA big, fuzzy, loudly buzzing bee.

Common pairings

bumblebee sting a fuzzy bumblebee

Word forms

bumblebees plural

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A _____ drifted lazily between the lavender blooms.

Etymology

From bumble ("to buzz") + bee, first recorded in the 1520s, replacing the earlier Middle English "humbul-be."

Origin: Middle English · First attested 1520

Class of 1520 bumblebee joined the language around 1520.

bias everyman

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Synonyms

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humblebee

Rhymes for bumblebee

ee see bee wee nee pee fee tee zee gee vee ree

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bumblebee” mean?

The word “bumblebee” means any of several species of large, furry bee in the genus Bombus, known for their loud buzz. In plain terms, a big, fuzzy, loudly buzzing bee.

How do you pronounce “bumblebee”?

“Bumblebee” is pronounced BUHM-buhl-bee (/ˈbʌmbəlˌbiː/ in IPA).

How do you use “bumblebee” in a sentence?

Here is “bumblebee” used in a sentence: “A bumblebee drifted lazily between the lavender blooms.”

What part of speech is “bumblebee”?

“Bumblebee” is a noun.

Where does the word “bumblebee” come from?

The word “bumblebee” dates back to around 1520 and comes from Middle English. From bumble ("to buzz") + bee, first recorded in the 1520s, replacing the earlier Middle English "humbul-be.".