ladybug

noun

la·​dy·​bug ˈlā-dē-ˌbəg 

: any of numerous small nearly hemispherical often brightly colored often spotted beetles (family Coccinellidae) of temperate and tropical regions that usually feed both as larvae and adults on other insects (such as aphids)

called also lady beetle, ladybird, ladybird beetle

Illustration of ladybug

Examples of ladybug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Planting a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers that attract natural predators, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, can often keep them in check, too. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2025

Encourage your child to look at flower petals, spots on a ladybug, and the rainbow in a droplet of water. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

While the carpenter and bumble bees were the most obvious visitors to the lupines, a closer look revealed a host of activity from small, blue butterflies, ants and ladybugs. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

Yarrow is highly attractive to some of the most common beneficial bugs, like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Our Lady, the Virgin Mary

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ladybug

• antidrug
• mealybug
• multidrug
• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug

Kids Definition

ladybug

noun

la·​dy·​bug -ˌbəg 

: any of numerous small roundish-backed often brightly colored and spotted beetles that usually feed both when young and adult on other insects (as aphids)