butterfly

1 of 2

noun

but·​ter·​fly ˈbə-tər-ˌflī How to pronounce butterfly (audio)
often attributive
1
: any of numerous slender-bodied diurnal lepidopteran insects including one superfamily (Papilionoidea) with broad often brightly colored wings and usually another superfamily comprising the skippers
2
: something that resembles or suggests a butterfly
especially : a person chiefly occupied with the pursuit of pleasure
3
: a swimming stroke executed in a prone position by moving both arms in a circular motion while kicking both legs up and down
4
butterflies plural : a feeling of hollowness or queasiness caused especially by emotional or nervous tension or anxious anticipation
5
: a defensive move by a goalie in ice hockey executed by dropping to the knees while spreading the lower legs outward

butterfly

2 of 2

verb

butterflied; butterflying

transitive verb

: to split almost entirely and spread apart
a butterflied steak
butterflied shrimp

Examples of butterfly in a Sentence

Noun They competed in the butterfly. Verb Butterfly the chicken before roasting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Located in shaded areas with moist soil in early summer, wild violet tastes best when the plant features five petals in a butterfly shape. Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 Yellow butterflies are seen all over town, a nod to one of his famous literary images. Genevieve Glatsky Nathalia Angarita, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Steinfeld, 27, put on a show by throwing up her butterfly sleeves for the cameras. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 The sale will also offer an impressive collection of Bulgari pieces that range from a gold necklace with matching earrings to a multi-gem butterfly brooch from 1965 (estimate: $15,000 to $20,000). Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 The rapper did a total time warp to the glory days of Y2K with her adorable new stick-on butterfly tattoos, and now both my 12-year-old self and my 30-something self want a set. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Mar. 2024 This four-pack of poppers also comes with a decorative door hanger and a pack of 3D butterfly stickers. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024 Customers using the mirror could see themselves with different digital variations of the bag (and other digital effects, like butterfly wings). Bernard Marr, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Your plants will be healthier, and your garden will delight you with birds, bees, butterflies and lady beetles. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
Verb
Swallowtail butterflies Large butterflies with colorful wings and distinctive swallowtail extensions. The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024 At the supermarket, ask the butcher to spatchcock or butterfly the whole chicken for you. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 9 Dec. 2023 Achieve the ultimate crispiness when roasting a chicken without worrying about dryness by butterflying the bird. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023 The dinner's backdrop will be a canvas of American monarch butterflies and Australian Cairns Birdwing butterflies against roses and delphinium for the U.S. and eucalyptus for Australia. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2023 Adds dry-brining and butterflying and includes vegetarian centerpiece alternatives, such as mushroom lasagna and savory cabbage strudel. Dylan Moriarty, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 The bag opens the same way the standard-sized Weekenders do, with a metal frame that butterflies open to give you access to more of your things at once. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2023 Betsey Johnson butterflies in her hair and De Beers Jewellers diamonds, as a tribute to the silent film stars of the Gilded Age. 08 Olivia Rodrigo's Feather Dress During an appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden, Rodrigo sported a feathery AREA dress in bright neon colors. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023 The two-level garden feels like a slice of rainforest jungle and includes a cave-like tunnel and 20-foot waterfall, around which butterflies flutter between colorful flowers. Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'butterfly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1952, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near butterfly

Cite this Entry

“Butterfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

butterfly

noun
but·​ter·​fly
-ˌflī
1
: any of numerous slender-bodied day-flying insects with large often brightly colored wings compare moth
2
: a swimming stroke performed by moving both arms together in a circular motion while kicking the legs up and down
3
plural : a queasy feeling caused by nervousness

Medical Definition

butterfly

1 of 2 noun
but·​ter·​fly -ˌflī How to pronounce butterfly (audio)
plural butterflies
1
plural : a feeling of hollowness or queasiness caused especially by emotional or nervous tension or anxious anticipation
2

butterfly

2 of 2 adjective
: affecting the part of the face including the cheeks and the bridge of the nose
the typical butterfly lesion of lupus erythematosus

More from Merriam-Webster on butterfly

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