centipede
Centipede (noun) means a small, many-legged arthropod with a long, segmented body and one pair of legs per segment. Example: “A centipede scurried out from under the log.”
How to use centipede
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA crawling, multi-legged bug with a long segmented body.
Don't confuse with a millipede, which has two pairs of legs per segment and moves more slowly.
Word forms
centipedes plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ scurried out from under the log.
Etymology
From Latin centi- ("hundred") + pes/pedis ("foot") — literally "hundred-footed", though real centipedes rarely have exactly a hundred legs.
Rhymes for centipede
See all rhymes for centipede →Frequently asked questions
What does “centipede” mean?
The word “centipede” means a small, many-legged arthropod with a long, segmented body and one pair of legs per segment. In plain terms, a crawling, multi-legged bug with a long segmented body.
How do you pronounce “centipede”?
“Centipede” is pronounced SEHN-tih-peed (/ˈsɛn.tɪ.pid/ in IPA).
How do you use “centipede” in a sentence?
Here is “centipede” used in a sentence: “A centipede scurried out from under the log.”
What part of speech is “centipede”?
“Centipede” is a noun.
Where does the word “centipede” come from?
The word “centipede” comes from Latin. From Latin centi- ("hundred") + pes/pedis ("foot") — literally "hundred-footed", though real centipedes rarely have exactly a hundred legs.