fruit fly

noun

: any of various small dipteran flies (such as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Examples of fruit fly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But unlike fruit flies, these pests have black eyes (not red), distinctive humped backs, and heavier, thicker-veined wings. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 June 2026

This means the center will have to create a map of every connection in the fish brain, much like the one that the center did for the fruit fly. — Jon Hamilton, NPR, 16 June 2026

Tiny fruit flies come in from outside, attracted to ripening produce on your kitchen counter, or they may be brought in on infested fruit. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 June 2026

The smart trap builds on earlier research Wang did using AI to recognize fruit flies. — Ciara McCarthy. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fruit fly

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

fruit fly

noun

: any of various small two-winged flies whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Medical Definition

fruit fly

noun

: any of various small dipteran flies (as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter