mantis

noun

man·​tis ˈman-təs 

plural mantises also mantes ˈman-ˌtēz 

: any of an order or suborder (Mantodea and especially family Mantidae) of large usually green insects that feed on other insects and clasp their prey in forelimbs held up as if in prayer

Illustration of mantis

Examples of mantis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With and without training, the mantises and crab spiders showed a significantly different response to the flies than to the wasps, and were much more cautious of lesser intermediate mimics than the birds had been. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 2 July 2025

But when Science Queen Alie Ward shows off a mantis and a beetle, Hayek grows fond of these creatures, perhaps even bonding with them. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 16 May 2025

The mantis immediately becomes obsessed with her, because duh; lethal hotties can sniff each other out. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 16 May 2025

Importing and possessing exotic mantis species, including the orchid mantis, requires a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. —Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, literally, diviner, prophet; akin to Greek mainesthai to be mad — more at mania

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mantis

• mantis shrimp
• praying mantis

Rhymes for mantis

• cantus
• atlantis

Kids Definition

mantis

noun

man·​tis ˈmant-əs 

plural mantises also mantes ˈman-ˌtēz 

: any of various large usually green insects related to the grasshoppers and cockroaches that feed upon other insects and hold their prey in the stout spiny first pair of legs