noun
termite
TUR-myt
Termite (noun) means a pale, soft-bodied wood-eating insect that lives in large colonies. Example: “Termites had eaten through the wooden support beams.”
noun
1
A pale, soft-bodied wood-eating insect that lives in large colonies.
"Termites had eaten through the wooden support beams."
"The inspector checked the foundations for signs of termites."
How to use termite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small insect notorious for eating through wood and damaging buildings.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
termite damage
termite infestation
termite inspection
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Word forms
- Plural
- termites
- Third person singular
- termites
- Past tense
- termited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ had eaten through the wooden support beams.
Etymology
Formed as a singular from the plural termites, from Latin termes ("woodworm"), the word Linnaeus used for the insect.
Synonyms
View more →
white ant
Rhymes for termite
See all rhymes for termite →Frequently asked questions
What does “termite” mean?
The word “termite” means a pale, soft-bodied wood-eating insect that lives in large colonies. In plain terms, a small insect notorious for eating through wood and damaging buildings.
How do you pronounce “termite”?
“Termite” is pronounced TUR-myt (/ˈtɜː(ɹ).maɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “termite” in a sentence?
Here is “termite” used in a sentence: “Termites had eaten through the wooden support beams.”
What part of speech is “termite”?
“Termite” is a noun.
Where does the word “termite” come from?
The word “termite” comes from Latin. Formed as a singular from the plural termites, from Latin termes ("woodworm"), the word Linnaeus used for the insect.
