noun
Uncommon
moth
moth
Moth (noun) means a flying insect related to the butterfly, usually active at night and less colorful, with feathery antennae. Example: “A moth kept circling the porch light.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- moths
- Third person singular
- moths
- Past tense
- mothed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ kept circling the porch light.
Etymology
From Old English moþþe, "destructive insect larva", from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "worm".
Rhymes for moth
See all rhymes for moth →Frequently asked questions
What does “moth” mean?
The word “moth” means a flying insect related to the butterfly, usually active at night and less colorful, with feathery antennae. In plain terms, a nocturnal, often dull-colored cousin of the butterfly, known for damaging fabric and being drawn to light.
How do you pronounce “moth”?
“Moth” is pronounced moth (/mɔθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “moth” in a sentence?
Here is “moth” used in a sentence: “A moth kept circling the porch light.”
What part of speech is “moth”?
“Moth” is a noun.
Where does the word “moth” come from?
The word “moth” comes from Old English. From Old English moþþe, "destructive insect larva", from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "worm".
Is “moth” a common word?
“Moth” is an uncommon word in modern English.
