damselfly

noun

dam·​sel·​fly ˈdam-zəl-ˌflī 

: any of numerous odonate insects (suborder Zygoptera) distinguished from dragonflies by laterally projecting eyes and usually stalked wings folded above the body when at rest

Examples of damselfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Discover Wildlife, fen raft spiders tend to eat other spiders, damselflies, dragonfly larvae, and tadpoles. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Look into my eyes by Pete Burford Being cold-blooded, damselflies and other insects cannot generate their own body heat. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2024

The Presidio Trust, a federal agency that manages the park, has repopulated the coastal landscape with turtles, newts and damselflies that once lived there. —Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 15 July 2024

Photographer Pete Burford was outside at 2 a.m., looking for resting damselflies in the United Kingdom. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

damselfly

noun

dam·​sel·​fly -ˌflī 

: any of a group of insects that are closely related to the dragonflies, have eyes which stick out on the sides, and fold the wings above the body when at rest compare dragonfly