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

However, insects such as the fruit fly and plants such as the silverweed cinquefoil have also been shown to conform to Gloger’s rule. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

Still, it’s been 10 years since the wordmark was updated, and in the current fruit fly life cycle of frenzied tech rebirths, that’s almost staid. — Aurich Lawson, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

The sweet smell of rotting fruit is irresistible to fruit flies and draws them in through the funnel. — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026

For more best-selling pest control products from Terro, check out similar options below to control fruit flies, moths, roaches, and more. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 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