noun
horsefly
HORS-flie
Horsefly (noun) means a large fly that bites mammals and feeds on their blood. Example: “A horsefly bit the horse on its flank.”
noun
1
A large fly that bites mammals and feeds on their blood.
"A horsefly bit the horse on its flank."
"Horseflies were swarming around the cattle in the heat."
"She swatted away a horsefly that had landed on her arm."
How to use horsefly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA horsefly is a big fly that gives animals and people a painful bite.
When to use it
Horsefly is a common, everyday name rather than a scientific one.
Memory tip
The word is usually written as one word, horsefly, though a hyphenated form also exists.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
stable fly
Common pairings
horsefly bite
swarm of horseflies
bitten by a horsefly
horseflies in summer
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ bit the horse on its flank.
Etymology
Horsefly comes from Middle English, where it was formed by joining the words for horse and fly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for horsefly
See all rhymes for horsefly →Frequently asked questions
Do horseflies bite?
Yes, horseflies bite mammals in order to feed on their blood.
What family of insects do horseflies belong to?
Horseflies belong to the fly family Tabanidae.
Is a horsefly the same as a stable fly?
No, a horsefly is a different insect from the stable fly, which is a separate species.
What is the meaning of horsefly?
"horsefly" (noun) means a large fly that bites mammals and feeds on their blood.
