noun

mayfly

MAY-fly

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Mayfly (noun) means a delicate winged insect that spends most of its life in water as a larva and lives for only a short time once it reaches adulthood. Example: “A cloud of mayflies rose from the river just after sunset.”

noun

A delicate winged insect that spends most of its life in water as a larva and lives for only a short time once it reaches adulthood.

"A cloud of mayflies rose from the river just after sunset."

"The trout were rising to feed on hatching mayflies."

"Anglers tie fishing flies that copy the look of a mayfly."

How to use mayfly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mayfly is a short-lived winged insect that begins its life underwater.

When to use it

It is a plain, everyday word used in both ordinary speech and nature writing.

Memory tip

Remember the plural is usually mayflies, following the normal rule for words ending in a consonant plus y.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a swarm of mayflies mayflies hatching a mayfly pattern (fishing fly)

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Anglers tie fishing flies that copy the look of a _____.

Etymology

The word joins May, the month, with fly, meaning a flying insect, because the adults of many species famously emerge and swarm in that month. A similar compound exists in Saterland Frisian for a different fly, showing the same pattern of naming an insect after its season.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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dayfly shadfly

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called a mayfly?

It is named for May, since many species hatch and swarm as winged adults around that time of year.

How long does a mayfly live?

The winged adult stage lasts only briefly; the insect spends far longer as a larva living underwater.

What order of insects do mayflies belong to?

They belong to the order Ephemeroptera, a group of insects that develop in fresh water.

What is the meaning of mayfly?

"mayfly" (noun) means a delicate winged insect that spends most of its life in water as a larva and lives for only a short time once it reaches adulthood.