noun
Uncommon
pest
pehst
Pest (noun) means an insect or animal that damages crops, spreads disease, or is otherwise harmful. Example: “Aphids are a common pest in vegetable gardens.”
noun
1
An insect or animal that damages crops, spreads disease, or is otherwise harmful.
"Aphids are a common pest in vegetable gardens."
"Rats are a serious pest in many old warehouses and farm buildings."
"The farmer sprayed the field to get rid of the pest that was eating his wheat."
2
An annoying person, especially one who keeps bothering others.
"Her little brother could be a real pest when she was on the phone."
"Stop being such a pest and let me finish my homework!"
"The little boy was a pest, following the older children everywhere and asking questions."
How to use pest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a harmful/destructive creature (like an insect) or, informally, an annoying person.
Common pairings
garden pest
pest control
being a pest
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Word forms
- Plural
- pests
Fill the gap
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Aphids are a common _____ in vegetable gardens.
Etymology
From Middle French peste ("plague"), ultimately from Latin pestis. Originally referred to deadly epidemics like the plague before broadening to any harmful creature or annoying person.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pest
See all rhymes for pest →Frequently asked questions
What does “pest” mean?
The word “pest” means an insect or animal that damages crops, spreads disease, or is otherwise harmful. In plain terms, either a harmful/destructive creature (like an insect) or, informally, an annoying person.
How do you pronounce “pest”?
“Pest” is pronounced pehst (/pɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “pest” in a sentence?
Here is “pest” used in a sentence: “Aphids are a common pest in vegetable gardens.”
What is another word for “pest”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pest” include bug.
What part of speech is “pest”?
“Pest” is a noun.
Where does the word “pest” come from?
The word “pest” comes from Latin. From Middle French peste ("plague"), ultimately from Latin pestis. Originally referred to deadly epidemics like the plague before broadening to any harmful creature or annoying person.
Is “pest” a common word?
“Pest” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pest” have?
“Pest” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an insect or animal that damages crops, spreads disease, or is otherwise harmful.
What is the difference between a "pest" and a "parasite"?
A pest is any insect or animal that damages crops, spreads disease, or otherwise causes harm, while a parasite specifically lives on or inside another organism and feeds off it. All parasites that cause harm can be called pests, but many pests, such as locusts or rats, are not parasites.
Is calling someone a "pest" rude?
Calling a person a "pest" is mildly critical but usually lighthearted rather than genuinely offensive, often used about someone who keeps bothering others in a minor, irritating way, such as a nagging child or coworker. It is informal and best avoided in formal or professional writing.
What is a "pest control" service?
Pest control refers to the business or process of managing and removing insects or animals that damage property, crops, or spread disease, such as rodents, termites, or cockroaches. The term uses "pest" in its literal sense of a harmful creature rather than an annoying person.
