noun
ladybird
LAY-dee-buhd
noun
1
A small, round beetle, usually red or orange with black spots, that eats garden pests like aphids.
"A ladybird landed on her sleeve and she made a wish."
"Gardeners welcome ladybirds because they eat aphids."
How to Use Ladybird
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe small red-and-black spotted beetle, called "ladybug" in American English.
UK vs US
British English says "ladybird"; American English says "ladybug" — same insect.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
ladybirds plural
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A _____ landed on her sleeve and she made a wish.
Etymology
From "lady" plus "bird" — the "lady" refers to the Virgin Mary, echoing old folk names in other European languages that also link the beetle to Mary.