wasp
Wasp (noun) means a flying stinging insect related to bees and ants, usually with a slim waist and yellow-and-black markings. Example: “A wasp got trapped inside the kitchen and stung the dog.”
How to use wasp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stinging flying insect similar to a bee but usually slimmer and more aggressive.
Wasps and bees are often confused: wasps have smoother, shinier bodies and can sting repeatedly, while bees are fuzzier and typically sting only once.
Word forms
wasped past tense, wasps plural, wasps singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ got trapped inside the kitchen and stung the dog.
Etymology
From Old English wæps, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "wasp," ultimately traced to a very old word for "weave" — a nod to the insect's woven-looking nests.
Rhymes for wasp
See all rhymes for wasp →Frequently asked questions
What does “wasp” mean?
The word “wasp” means a flying stinging insect related to bees and ants, usually with a slim waist and yellow-and-black markings. In plain terms, a stinging flying insect similar to a bee but usually slimmer and more aggressive.
How do you pronounce “wasp”?
“Wasp” is pronounced wosp (/wɑsp/ in IPA).
How do you use “wasp” in a sentence?
Here is “wasp” used in a sentence: “A wasp got trapped inside the kitchen and stung the dog.”
What part of speech is “wasp”?
“Wasp” is a noun.
Where does the word “wasp” come from?
The word “wasp” comes from Old English. From Old English wæps, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "wasp," ultimately traced to a very old word for "weave" — a nod to the insect's woven-looking nests.
Is “wasp” a common word?
“Wasp” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “wasp” have?
“Wasp” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flying stinging insect related to bees and ants, usually with a slim waist and yellow-and-black markings.
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