noun
gnat
nat
noun
1
A small, flying insect, often found in swarms near water.
"A cloud of gnats hovered over the pond at dusk."
2
A minor, irritating annoyance or person.
"He brushed off the criticism as if it were a mere gnat."
How to Use Gnat
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Etymology
From Old English gnætt, from a Germanic root ultimately connected to words meaning "to gnaw" or "scratch."