noun

cranefly

KRAYN-fly

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Cranefly (noun) means any of the large, slender flies of the suborder Tipulomorpha, with very long legs and a look of an oversized mosquito. Example: “A cranefly bumped against the kitchen window all evening.”

noun

Any of the large, slender flies of the suborder Tipulomorpha, with very long legs and a look of an oversized mosquito.

"A cranefly bumped against the kitchen window all evening."

"Craneflies seem clumsy in flight, with their legs trailing behind them."

"The lawn was full of craneflies after the wet spell in September."

How to use cranefly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe long-legged, gangly flying insect that turns up indoors in late summer and autumn.

When to use it

It is an everyday, informal name used in ordinary conversation about garden and household insects.

Memory tip

Remember the crane-legged bird in the name to picture why the insect got it.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

mosquito →

Common pairings

cranefly larvae cranefly season swat a cranefly

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “cranefly” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ bumped against the kitchen window all evening.

Etymology

The name joins crane, the long-legged bird, with fly, because the insect's thin, spindly legs recall a crane's legs.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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daddy longlegs

Related words

harvestman

Rhymes for cranefly

firefly chiefly briefly horsefly

See all rhymes for cranefly →

Frequently asked questions

Do craneflies bite?

No, adult craneflies do not bite people; their mouthparts are not built for it.

Why are craneflies called daddy longlegs?

The nickname, used in the UK, comes from their unusually long, thin legs, the same feature that gave the insect its official name.

What do cranefly larvae look like?

The larvae, known as leatherjackets, are quite different from the adult, living in soil and lacking the long legs and wings.

What is the meaning of cranefly?

"cranefly" (noun) means any of the large, slender flies of the suborder Tipulomorpha, with very long legs and a look of an oversized mosquito.

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