butterfly

1 of 2

noun

but·​ter·​fly ˈbə-tər-ˌflī 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• dither
• heebie-jeebies
• jimjams
• jitters
• nerves
• screaming meemies
• shakes
• shivers
• whim-whams
• willies

Examples of butterfly in a Sentence

Noun

They competed in the butterfly.

Verb

Butterfly the chicken before roasting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The neon magenta suit has a colorful butterfly pattern and is currently in stock in sizes 4 through 7/8. —Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024

Often, butterflies and wasps hitched a ride to the top; on some days, crew members were stung a dozen times. —Allison Keeley, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1952, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing butterfly

• butterfly bush
• butterfly chair
• butterfly effect
• butterfly fish
• butterfly kiss
• butterfly valve
• butterfly weed
• cabbage butterfly
• leaf butterfly
• milkweed butterfly
• monarch butterfly
• sulphur butterfly
• tortoiseshell butterfly
• viceroy butterfly

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 

plural butterflies

1

plural : a feeling of hollowness or queasiness caused especially by emotional or nervous tension or anxious anticipation

2

: butterfly bandage

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