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

The factory-building boom in the U.S. is losing steam, but the tangible results of the surge are due to be felt in the coming moths and years. —Courtney Fingar, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Leave the leaves for overwintering creatures Fallen leaves are perfect nesting sites for native bees, moths and butterflies. —Amy Chillag, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024

England studied 11 species of butterflies and moths native to various climates, ecosystems, and lifestyles. —Max G. Levy, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2024

Protect seedlings from cutworms. Cutworms are the caterpillars of certain species of moths that crawl along the soil line and chew through tender seedling stems in spring. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 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