Word: Insect

Pronunciation

/ˈɪnsekt/

Definitions

• Noun: A small, usually winged arthropod with six legs, typically having a body divided into three parts (head, thorax, and abdomen), and often having antennae. Insects form one of the largest and most diverse groups of animals on earth, playing various ecological roles such as pollinators, decomposers, and pests. For example: “The butterfly is a beautiful and colorful insect.”

  Example Sentence: “The entomologist collected numerous specimens of insects for her research.”

• Noun (figurative): A person who is weak, insignificant, or contemptible in comparison to others. For example: “He regarded his opponents as mere insects beneath his notice.”

Phrases

• “Creeping insects”: Refers to crawling insects like ants or beetles.
• “Flying insects”: Refers to insects that can fly, such as mosquitoes or bees.
• “Insecticides”: Chemicals used to kill or control insects, often used in agriculture or pest management.

Example Sentences

• Literal Noun: “The garden was filled with various kinds of insects buzzing around the flowers.”
• Figurative Noun: “To him, those who opposed his ideas were nothing but insignificant insects.”

Synonyms

• Bug
• Arthropod
• Creature
• Beastie
• Vermin (when referring to unwanted or harmful insects)
• Pest (when referring to insects causing damage or annoyance)