insect
IHN-sehkt
Insect (noun) means a small six-legged creature with a hard outer shell, typically with wings, such as an ant, beetle, or fly. Example: “The garden was buzzing with insects on that warm afternoon.”
noun
1
A small six-legged creature with a hard outer shell, typically with wings, such as an ant, beetle, or fly.
"The garden was buzzing with insects on that warm afternoon."
"Bees are insects essential to pollinating crops."
"A tiny insect landed on my arm and then flew away."
2
(informal, derogatory) A person regarded as insignificant or contemptible.
"He treated the interns like insects, barely acknowledging them."
"The bully sneered that everyone below him was just an insect."
"She refused to be treated like an insect by her arrogant boss."
How to use insect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small creature like a bee, ant, or beetle with six legs and a segmented body.
Common pairings
insect bite
insect repellent
insect species
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Word forms
- Plural
- insects
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The garden was buzzing with _____ on that warm afternoon.
Etymology
From Latin insectum, "cut into" — because an insect body appears divided into segments (head, thorax, abdomen). It is a loan translation of the Greek entomon, "insect," which means the same thing.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “insect” mean?
The word “insect” means a small six-legged creature with a hard outer shell, typically with wings, such as an ant, beetle, or fly. In plain terms, a small creature like a bee, ant, or beetle with six legs and a segmented body.
How do you pronounce “insect”?
“Insect” is pronounced IHN-sehkt (/ˈɪn.sɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “insect” in a sentence?
Here is “insect” used in a sentence: “The garden was buzzing with insects on that warm afternoon.”
What is another word for “insect”?
Words with a similar meaning to “insect” include bug.
What part of speech is “insect”?
“Insect” is a noun.
Where does the word “insect” come from?
The word “insect” comes from Latin. From Latin insectum, "cut into" — because an insect body appears divided into segments (head, thorax, abdomen). It is a loan translation of the Greek entomon, "insect," which means the same thing.
Is “insect” a common word?
“Insect” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “insect” have?
“Insect” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small six-legged creature with a hard outer shell, typically with wings, such as an ant, beetle, or fly.
What is the difference between an insect and a bug?
In everyday speech, insect and bug are often used interchangeably to describe small six-legged creatures like ants, beetles, and flies. Scientifically, however, "true bugs" are a specific insect order, making insect the broader and more accurate general term.
Is calling someone an insect an insult?
Yes, calling a person an insect is an informal, derogatory way of describing them as insignificant or contemptible. This figurative use is considered offensive and should be avoided in polite or formal speech.
What are common examples of insects?
Common examples of insects include ants, beetles, flies, bees, and butterflies, all of which share the six-legged, hard outer shell structure typical of the group.
