noun

gnat

nat

Gnat (noun) means a small, flying insect, often found in swarms near water. Example: “A cloud of gnats hovered over the pond at dusk.”

noun

A small, flying insect, often found in swarms near water.

"A cloud of gnats hovered over the pond at dusk."

A minor, irritating annoyance or person.

"He brushed off the criticism as if it were a mere gnat."

How to use gnat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tiny biting or swarming insect, or figuratively a minor irritation.

Common pairings

swarm of gnats gnat bite

Word forms

gnats plural, Gnats plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A cloud of _____ hovered over the pond at dusk.

Etymology

From Old English gnætt, from a Germanic root ultimately connected to words meaning "to gnaw" or "scratch."

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for gnat

Nat

See all rhymes for gnat →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gnat” mean?

The word “gnat” means a small, flying insect, often found in swarms near water. In plain terms, a tiny biting or swarming insect, or figuratively a minor irritation.

How do you pronounce “gnat”?

“Gnat” is pronounced nat (/næt/ in IPA).

How do you use “gnat” in a sentence?

Here is “gnat” used in a sentence: “A cloud of gnats hovered over the pond at dusk.”

What part of speech is “gnat”?

“Gnat” is a noun.

Where does the word “gnat” come from?

The word “gnat” comes from Old English. From Old English gnætt, from a Germanic root ultimately connected to words meaning "to gnaw" or "scratch.".

How many meanings does “gnat” have?

“Gnat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, flying insect, often found in swarms near water.