grasshopper

noun

grass·​hop·​per ˈgras-ˌhä-pər 

1

: any of numerous plant-eating orthopterous insects (Acrididae, Tettigoniidae, and some related families) having the hind legs adapted for leaping and sometimes engaging in migratory flights in which whole regions may be stripped of vegetation

2

: a cocktail made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and light cream

Examples of grasshopper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1980, researcher Michel Lecoq discovered a new species of grasshopper on Cape Verde’s São Nicolau island in Monte Gordo Natural Park. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025

For the same reason that a field of grasshoppers becomes resistant to the insecticide DDT. —Lisa Chase, Outside Online, 29 Nov. 2024

But last year, swarms of grasshoppers attacked McKoen’s onions. —Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2024

This and other studies have also estimated about 3,500 species of mosquitoes, 120,000 species of flies and 30,000 species of grasshoppers and crickets. —Nicholas Green, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grasshopper

• grasshopper sparrow
• knee-high to a grasshopper
• long-horned grasshopper
• red-legged grasshopper
• short-horned grasshopper

Rhymes for grasshopper

• eavesdropper
• improper
• leafhopper
• sharecropper
• chopper
• copper
• cropper
• dropper
• pauper
• popper
• proper
• shopper

Kids Definition

grasshopper

noun

grass·​hop·​per ˈgras-ˌhäp-ər 

: any of numerous plant-eating insects that have long hind legs used for leaping