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noun A1 Beginner Common

butterfly

BUH-tuh-fleye
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Butterfly (noun) means an insect with large, often brightly patterned wings, known for its delicate flight. Example: “A butterfly fluttered past the window and settled on the lavender.”

noun
1
An insect with large, often brightly patterned wings, known for its delicate flight.
"A butterfly fluttered past the window and settled on the lavender."
"The children watched a caterpillar turn into a butterfly in the classroom jar."
"A monarch butterfly landed on the flower."
2
A swimming stroke in which both arms move together in a circular motion while the legs kick in a dolphin-like motion.
"Doing the butterfly for two lengths left my shoulders aching all evening."
"The coach says my butterfly would improve if my kick were stronger."
"She swam the butterfly in the state championship."
verb
1
To slice food almost all the way through and open it flat like a book.
"I usually butterfly the prawns so they cook quickly and look impressive."
"The chef butterflied the lamb leg so it would cook evenly on the grill."
"Butterfly the chicken breast before grilling it."

How to use butterfly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe flying insect, the swimming stroke, or (as a verb) to slice and flatten food like a book.

Common mistake

"Butterflies in your stomach" describes nervous excitement, not literal insects.

Easily confused with
moth →
Common pairings
butterfly effect butterfly stroke butterflies in your stomach
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Word forms

Third person singular
butterflies
Past tense
butterflied
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ fluttered past the window and settled on the lavender.

Etymology

From Old English buterflēoge, literally "butter-fly." No one is fully sure why — theories range from the insect's yellowish color, an old belief that butterflies stole milk or butter, to a folk idea that they excreted a butter-like substance.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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spatchcock coquet philander flirt mash romance dally coquette

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “butterfly” mean?
The word “butterfly” means an insect with large, often brightly patterned wings, known for its delicate flight. In plain terms, the flying insect, the swimming stroke, or (as a verb) to slice and flatten food like a book.
How do you pronounce “butterfly”?
“Butterfly” is pronounced BUH-tuh-fleye ([ˈbʌ.ɾɚ.flaɪ] in IPA).
How do you use “butterfly” in a sentence?
Here is “butterfly” used in a sentence: “A monarch butterfly landed on the flower.”
What part of speech is “butterfly”?
Depending on how it is used, “butterfly” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “butterfly” come from?
The word “butterfly” comes from Old English.
Is “butterfly” a common word?
“Butterfly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “butterfly” have?
“Butterfly” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an insect with large, often brightly patterned wings, known for its delicate flight.
What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?
Butterflies and moths are closely related insects, but butterflies typically fly by day, have brightly patterned wings, and have thin antennae with small clubs at the tips. Moths are more often active at night and usually have feathery or thread-like antennae.
What is the butterfly in swimming?
The butterfly is a swimming stroke in which both arms move together in a circular motion while the legs perform a dolphin-like kick. It is regarded as one of the most physically demanding strokes.

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