katydid

noun

ka·​ty·​did ˈkā-tē-ˌdid 

: any of various large green American long-horned grasshoppers usually having stridulating organs on the forewings of the males that produce a loud shrill sound

Illustration of katydid

Did you know?

Some animal names have been created through imitation of the sounds the animals make. The name katydid is an example of this process. These insects were given this name because the noise they make was thought to sound like “Katy-did, Katy-didn't” repeated over and over.

Examples of katydid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Insect culprits can range from beetles (adults and juveniles) to caterpillars, earwigs, crickets, grasshoppers and katydids. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 8 Aug. 2024

Several species of grasshopper and katydid will be green or light brown in color when young, and as such blend in very well with foliage or plant stems. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 8 Aug. 2024

In Arizona, crickets are most active during the warmer months, with activity peaking in late summer, according to Song of Insects, a website devoted to the study of crickets, katydids and cicadas. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 23 July 2024

Chewing types of insects (grasshoppers, katydids, caterpillars, etc.) consume parts or all of the leaves. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

katydid

noun

ka·​ty·​did ˈkāt-ē-ˌdid 

: any of various large green American grasshoppers with very long antennae and males that make a high-pitched noise using sound-producing organs on the forewings

Etymology

imitation

Word Origin

Some animal names have been created through imitation of the sounds the animals make. The name katydid is an example of this process. These insects were given this name because the noise they make was thought of as sounding like "Katy-did, Katy-didn't" repeated over and over.