butterfly

1 of 2

noun

but·​ter·​fly ˈbə-tər-ˌflī How to pronounce butterfly (audio)
often attributive
1
: any of numerous slender-bodied diurnal lepidopteran insects including one superfamily (Papilionoidea) with broad often brightly colored wings and usually another superfamily comprising the skippers
2
: something that resembles or suggests a butterfly
especially : a person chiefly occupied with the pursuit of pleasure
3
: a swimming stroke executed in a prone position by moving both arms in a circular motion while kicking both legs up and down
4
butterflies plural : a feeling of hollowness or queasiness caused especially by emotional or nervous tension or anxious anticipation
5
: a defensive move by a goalie in ice hockey executed by dropping to the knees while spreading the lower legs outward

butterfly

2 of 2

verb

butterflied; butterflying

transitive verb

: to split almost entirely and spread apart
a butterflied steak
butterflied shrimp

Examples of butterfly in a Sentence

Noun They competed in the butterfly. Verb Butterfly the chicken before roasting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Bowlan had butterflies as his career night played out. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025 Oaks trees support a wide variety of butterfly and moth caterpillars, which in turn feed birds. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
My mother, Viola Bloomer — pinochle enthusiast and pilot — drew a great breath and dove after her son, legs butterflying up into a neat pike. Charna Flam, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Zilpha bought a bird book as well as other books to put names to butterfly and moth, tree and fern. Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for butterfly

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of butterfly was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Butterfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

butterfly

noun
but·​ter·​fly
-ˌflī
1
: any of numerous slender-bodied day-flying insects with large often brightly colored wings compare moth
2
: a swimming stroke performed by moving both arms together in a circular motion while kicking the legs up and down
3
plural : a queasy feeling caused by nervousness

Medical Definition

butterfly

1 of 2 noun
but·​ter·​fly -ˌflī How to pronounce butterfly (audio)
plural butterflies
1
plural : a feeling of hollowness or queasiness caused especially by emotional or nervous tension or anxious anticipation
2

butterfly

2 of 2 adjective
: affecting the part of the face including the cheeks and the bridge of the nose
the typical butterfly lesion of lupus erythematosus

More from Merriam-Webster on butterfly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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