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noun Uncommon

io

EYE-oh

Io (noun) means a large yellow North American moth known for the eye-like spots on its hindwings. Example: “The io moth's bright eyespots are meant to startle predators.”

noun
1
A large yellow North American moth known for the eye-like spots on its hindwings.
"The io moth's bright eyespots are meant to startle predators."
name
1
One of Jupiter's largest moons, famous for its intense volcanic activity.
"Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system."

How to use io

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsually refers either to a spotted moth species or to one of Jupiter's moons.

Word forms

ios plural

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ moth's bright eyespots are meant to startle predators.

Etymology

From the Greek mythological figure Io, a mortal woman loved by Zeus and transformed into a heifer.

Origin: Greek

Rhymes for io

See all rhymes for io →

Frequently asked questions

What does “io” mean?

The word “io” means a large yellow North American moth known for the eye-like spots on its hindwings. In plain terms, usually refers either to a spotted moth species or to one of Jupiter's moons.

How do you pronounce “io”?

“Io” is pronounced EYE-oh (/ˈaɪəʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “io” in a sentence?

Here is “io” used in a sentence: “The io moth's bright eyespots are meant to startle predators.”

What part of speech is “io”?

Depending on how it is used, “io” can be a noun and a name.

Where does the word “io” come from?

The word “io” comes from Greek. From the Greek mythological figure Io, a mortal woman loved by Zeus and transformed into a heifer.

Is “io” a common word?

“Io” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “io” have?

“Io” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large yellow North American moth known for the eye-like spots on its hindwings.

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