gnat

noun

ˈnat 

: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies

gnatty

ˈna-tē 

adjective

Examples of gnat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Flies and gnats could visit in our open school rooms. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2025

Any accumulation of decaying, organic material raises your risk of attracting fungal gnats, said Wang. —Cathy Nelson, Health, 21 July 2025

The zapper emits a blue-violet light that attracts flying insects like mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and wasps, then zaps them with 4,200 volts of electricity. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 18 July 2025

Cue this bug zapper—it’s made with a 4200-voltage blue-violet light and a plastic surrounding cage to attract and effectively trap pesky critters like mosquitos, gnats, moths, wasps, flies, and more. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English gnætt; akin to Old English gnagan to gnaw

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gnat

• fungus gnat

Rhymes for gnat

• at
• bat
• batt
• brat
• cat
• chat
• fat
• flat
• gat
• hat
• kat
• mat

Kids Definition

gnat

noun

ˈnat 

: any of various small usually biting two-winged flies

Medical Definition

gnat

noun

ˈnat 

: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies (as a midge or blackfly)