moth

noun

ˈmȯth 

plural moths ˈmȯt͟hz  ˈmȯths 

1

: clothes moth

2

: 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

mothlike

ˈmȯth-ˌlīk 

adjective

mothy

ˈmȯ-thē 

adjective

Examples of moth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the food web is complicated, and just because the warmer weather benefits the moths on paper doesn’t mean the moths will end up on top. —Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024

Solitary bees, bumble bees, moths, and butterflies—whether as eggs, pupae, or adults—often use the leaf layer for warmth and protection during the cold winter months. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2024

Search for bees, butterflies, moths and other critical species this month in Plano. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 18 Sep. 2024

The larval stage, when the moth is a caterpillar, is the problem. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 10 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing moth

• brown-tail moth
• cecropia moth
• cinnabar moth
• clearwing moth
• clothes moth
• codling moth
• death's-head hawk moth
• diamondback moth
• hawk moth
• imperial moth
• Io moth
• luna moth
• Mediterranean flour moth
• moth bean
• moth-eaten
• oriental fruit moth
• peppered moth
• silk moth
• sphinx moth
• spongy moth
• tiger moth
• tussock moth
• wax moth

Kids Definition

moth

noun

ˈmȯth 

plural moths ˈmȯt͟hz  ˈmȯths 

: any of a group of night-flying insects that are lepidopterans often with duller coloring, stouter bodies, and smaller wings than the related butterflies and with antennae which are often feathery