moth

noun \ˈmȯth\

: a kind of insect that is similar to a butterfly but that flies mostly at night and is usually less colorful

plural moths \ˈmȯthz, ˈmȯths\

Full Definition of MOTH

: clothes moth

: any of various usually nocturnal lepidopteran insects with antennae that are often feathery, with a stouter body, duller coloring, and proportionately smaller wings than the butterflies, and with larvae that are plant-eating caterpillars

— moth·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— mothy \ˈmȯ-thē\ adjective

See moth defined for English-language learners

See moth defined for kids

Origin of MOTH

Middle English mothe, from Old English moththe; akin to Middle High German motte moth

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

Rhymes with MOTH

broth, cloth, froth, sloth, swath, troth

MOTH Defined for Kids

moth

noun \ˈmȯth\

plural moths \ˈmȯthz, ˈmȯths\

Definition of MOTH for Kids

: an insect that usually flies at night and has mostly feathery antennae and stouter body, duller coloring, and smaller wings than the related butterflies