noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

wasp

wosp

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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.”

noun

A flying stinging insect related to bees and ants, usually with a slim waist and yellow-and-black markings.

"A wasp got trapped inside the kitchen and stung the dog."

"Wasps build papery nests under roof eaves."

(informal) Someone who acts in a sharp, irritable, or stinging way.

"He can be a real wasp when he's tired."

How to use wasp

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA stinging flying insect similar to a bee but usually slimmer and more aggressive.

Common mistake

Wasps and bees are often confused: wasps have smoother, shinier bodies and can sting repeatedly, while bees are fuzzier and typically sting only once.

Easily confused with

bee → hornet →

Common pairings

a wasp sting wasp's nest a swarm of wasps

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: wasps
Third person singular: wasps
Past tense: wasped

Test yourself on “wasp” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for wasp

gasp rasp grasp clasp

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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