noun
Uncommon
caterpillar
KA-tuh-pih-luh
Caterpillar (noun) means the wormlike larval stage of a butterfly or moth. Example: “A fat green caterpillar was munching on the cabbage leaves.”
noun
1
The wormlike larval stage of a butterfly or moth.
"A caterpillar is letting itself down on a thread, twirling slowly like a rope artist, spiralling towards his chest. It’s a luscious, unreal green, like a gumdrop, and covered with tiny bright hairs."
— Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake (2003)
"The bird just ate that green caterpillar."
"A fat green caterpillar was munching on the cabbage leaves."
2
A vehicle fitted with continuous tracks instead of wheels, used for rough terrain.
"A caterpillar tractor cleared the muddy field."
How to use caterpillar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe larval, worm-like stage of a butterfly or moth before it becomes a chrysalis, or a tracked vehicle.
Common pairings
caterpillar tracks
a fuzzy caterpillar
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Word forms
- Plural
- caterpillars
- Third person singular
- caterpillars
- Past tense
- caterpillared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A fat green _____ was munching on the cabbage leaves.
Etymology
From Middle English catirpel, likely from Old Northern French words meaning "hairy cat," combining Late Latin catta ("cat") with pilosa ("hairy").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for caterpillar
See all rhymes for caterpillar →Frequently asked questions
What does “caterpillar” mean?
The word “caterpillar” means the wormlike larval stage of a butterfly or moth. In plain terms, the larval, worm-like stage of a butterfly or moth before it becomes a chrysalis, or a tracked vehicle.
How do you pronounce “caterpillar”?
“Caterpillar” is pronounced KA-tuh-pih-luh (/ˈkætɚˌpɪlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “caterpillar” in a sentence?
Here is “caterpillar” used in a sentence: “A fat green caterpillar was munching on the cabbage leaves.”
What part of speech is “caterpillar”?
“Caterpillar” is a noun.
Where does the word “caterpillar” come from?
The word “caterpillar” comes from Late Latin. From Middle English catirpel, likely from Old Northern French words meaning "hairy cat," combining Late Latin catta ("cat") with pilosa ("hairy").
Is “caterpillar” a common word?
“Caterpillar” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “caterpillar” have?
“Caterpillar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the wormlike larval stage of a butterfly or moth.
