Illustration of firefly
firefly
noun
fire·fly
ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌflī 
: any of various winged nocturnal beetles (especially family Lampyridae) that produce a bright soft intermittent light by oxidation of luciferin especially for courtship purposes
Examples of firefly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The night brims with awe-striking phenomena—not just stars and auroras but glowing mushrooms, sparkly plankton, bustling night markets, and shimmery fireflies.
—
Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is launching a Nighttime Firefly Experience inspired by the Smoky Mountains’ rare synchronous fireflies.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
All along the far side of the canyon, a cluster of dots began to wink on, like fireflies cavorting in a field.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Dandridge is most recently known for playing Marlene, leader of the fireflies, in HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us, based on Naughty Dog’s video game of the same name, and as Chief Ross in ABC’s Station 19.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
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Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is launching a Nighttime Firefly Experience inspired by the Smoky Mountains’ rare synchronous fireflies.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
All along the far side of the canyon, a cluster of dots began to wink on, like fireflies cavorting in a field.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Dandridge is most recently known for playing Marlene, leader of the fireflies, in HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us, based on Naughty Dog’s video game of the same name, and as Chief Ross in ABC’s Station 19.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firefly
Cite this Entry
“Firefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firefly. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
firefly
noun
fire·fly
ˈfī(ə)r-ˌflī
: any of numerous night-flying beetles that produce a bright soft flashing light for courtship purposes
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