dragonfly

noun

drag·​on·​fly ˈdra-gən-ˌflī 

: any of a suborder (Anisoptera) of odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies, hold the wings horizontal in repose, and have rectal gills during the naiad stage

broadly : odonate

Illustration of dragonfly

Examples of dragonfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

She is surrounded by figures that resemble cotton plants, their bulbs aglow, flickering like dragonflies hovering in the fading light of dusk. —Omnia Saed, ARTnews.com, 17 Mar. 2025

Standing among the blooms in the fields and several gardens will be glass and steel sculptures of life-like butterflies, dragonflies, birds, bees and beetles, up to 12 feet high. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025

Like other pieces in the Butterfly Meadows Collection, the set features flower, butterfly, ladybug, dragonfly, and bumblebee artwork, as well as delicate scalloped edges that gives everything a timeless feel. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2025

The sudden arrival of a massive swarm of dragonflies caused chaos on a Rhode Island beach. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 29 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dragonfly

noun

drag·​on·​fly -ˌflī 

: any of a group of large harmless insects that have four long wings held horizontal and sticking out instead of folded to the side next to the body when at rest and that feed especially on flies, gnats, and mosquitoes compare damselfly