gnat

noun

: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies
gnatty adjective

Examples of gnat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The zapper emits a blue-violet light that attracts flying insects like mosquitos, flies, gnats, and wasps, then zaps them with 4,200 volts of electricity. Maggie Horton, People.com, 13 June 2025 But when your 3-year-old is begging for it, concentrate on your kid’s joy instead of dreaming of force feeding a cold pizza of gravel and gnats to that singer. 5. Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025 Watch this video for an easy way to get rid of annoying gnats and fruit flies. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 May 2025 More than 7,000 of his satellites now surround Earth like a cloud of gnats. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gnat

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gnat was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Gnat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnat. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

gnat

noun
: any of various small usually biting two-winged flies

Medical Definition

gnat

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

More from Merriam-Webster on gnat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!