Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Colias

noun
Co·​li·​as | \ ˈkōlēˌas\

Definition of Colias

: a large cosmopolitan genus of butterflies (family Pieridae) which have primarily yellow or orange wings and whose larvae feed mostly on legumes but sometimes on willows or blueberries — see alfalfa butterfly, clouded sulphur

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Colias

New Latin, from Greek Kōlias, Attic goddess

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Colias

Dictionary Entries near Colias

colewort

Colfax

coli-aerogenes

Colias

colic

colical

colichemarde

Statistics for Colias

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Colias

What made you want to look up Colias? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

boilerplate

Listen to the pronounciation of boilerplate

standardized text or formulaic language

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Finance Words Quiz

  • a-piggy-bank
  • The etymology of mortgage is related most closely to which two words?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games