noun
moth
moth
noun
1
A flying insect related to the butterfly, usually active at night and less colorful, with feathery antennae.
"A moth kept circling the porch light."
"Moths had eaten holes in his old wool sweater."
How to Use Moth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA nocturnal, often dull-colored cousin of the butterfly, known for damaging fabric and being drawn to light.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
moth-eaten
drawn like a moth to a flame
clothes moth
Word Forms
mothed past tense, moths plural, moths plural, moths plural, moths singular
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A _____ kept circling the porch light.
Etymology
From Old English moþþe, "destructive insect larva", from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "worm".