noun
emmet
EH-miht
Emmet (noun) means an ant (used in some regional English dialects, especially in the West Country). Example: “A line of emmets marched across the garden path.”
noun
1
An ant (used in some regional English dialects, especially in the West Country).
"A line of emmets marched across the garden path."
"The old farmer still called ants "emmets," the way his grandfather had."
2
A slang, mildly dismissive term for a tourist, used mainly in Devon and Cornwall, England.
"The seafront cafes fill up with emmets every summer."
"Locals joke that the emmets arrive with the first warm weekend and never seem to leave."
How to use emmet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a regional word for an ant, or (in Cornwall/Devon slang) a slightly teasing name for a tourist.
When to use it
Informal and regional — you would not use "emmet" in formal writing outside of dialect contexts.
Common pairings
a line of emmets
summer emmets
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Word forms
- Plural
- emmets
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A line of _____ marched across the garden path.
Etymology
From Old English aemete, meaning "ant" — the same word that gives us "ant" itself. The tourist sense grew later in southwest England, comparing the swarms of summer visitors to a line of ants.
Synonyms
View more →
ant
pismire
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “emmet” mean?
The word “emmet” means an ant (used in some regional English dialects, especially in the West Country). In plain terms, either a regional word for an ant, or (in Cornwall/Devon slang) a slightly teasing name for a tourist.
How do you pronounce “emmet”?
“Emmet” is pronounced EH-miht (/ˈɛmɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “emmet” in a sentence?
Here is “emmet” used in a sentence: “A line of emmets marched across the garden path.”
What part of speech is “emmet”?
“Emmet” is a noun.
Where does the word “emmet” come from?
The word “emmet” comes from Old English. From Old English aemete, meaning "ant" — the same word that gives us "ant" itself. The tourist sense grew later in southwest England, comparing the swarms of summer visitors to a line of ants.
How many meanings does “emmet” have?
“Emmet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an ant (used in some regional English dialects, especially in the West Country).
