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noun

cicada

sih-KAY-duh

Cicada (noun) means a large insect known for the loud, buzzing song males produce, often heard in summer. Example: “The cicadas were so loud we could barely talk outside.”

noun
1
A large insect known for the loud, buzzing song males produce, often heard in summer.
"The cicadas were so loud we could barely talk outside."
"Every 17 years, a huge brood of cicadas emerges from the ground."

How to use cicada

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA noisy, winged insect famous for its droning summer song.

Common pairings
cicada song swarm of cicadas

Word forms

cicadas plural, cicadae plural, cicadæ plural

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The _____ were so loud we could barely talk outside.

Etymology

From Latin cicada, believed to imitate the insect's sound.

Origin: Latin

cicala harvest fly jarfly lyreman

Rhymes for cicada

See all rhymes for cicada →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cicada” mean?

The word “cicada” means a large insect known for the loud, buzzing song males produce, often heard in summer. In plain terms, a noisy, winged insect famous for its droning summer song.

How do you pronounce “cicada”?

“Cicada” is pronounced sih-KAY-duh (/sɪˈkeɪ.də/ in IPA).

How do you use “cicada” in a sentence?

Here is “cicada” used in a sentence: “The cicadas were so loud we could barely talk outside.”

What is another word for “cicada”?

Words with a similar meaning to “cicada” include cicala, harvest fly, jarfly and lyreman.

What part of speech is “cicada”?

“Cicada” is a noun.

Where does the word “cicada” come from?

The word “cicada” comes from Latin. From Latin cicada, believed to imitate the insect's sound.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial