butterfly

noun, often attributive but·ter·fly \ -ˌflī \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Definition of butterfly

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

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Examples of butterfly in a Sentence

They competed in the butterfly.

Recent Examples of butterfly from the Web

The sophomore won the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly at the state championships and broke her own state record in the 50 free.

— gabe hauari, The Courier-Journal, "CAL's Gabi Albiero named Courier Journal Girls Swimmer of the Year," 7 June 2018
Yellow butterflies flit along a slope of sea figs leading up to the driveway.

— jean guerrero, Glamour, "We've Seen Pictures of Undocumented Boys in Government Facilities. Where Are the Girls?," 13 July 2018
Walk through the different habitats looking for birds, mammals, and butterflies.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Breathe events: Eating right, feeling well and getting moving," 11 July 2018
But in the end, butterflies in the Bronx and Queens had other ideas.

— chad pergram, Fox News, "Ousted Rep. Joe Crowley the latest lawmaker 'supposed to be' House Speaker," 1 July 2018
Butterfly Wonderland discount Guests who wear red, white and blue receive $3 off admission and can celebrate Independence Day surrounded by 3,000 butterflies.

— sonja haller, azcentral, "Best kids things to do in Phoenix in July: Splash pad parties, shark feeds and free fun," 28 June 2018
However, that doesn’t seem to bother the butterflies.

— neil sperry, star-telegram, "Summertime blues are a good thing when it comes to these 'cooling' plants," 28 June 2018
The butterfly garden out back was built by Rosalynn.

— michael paterniti, GQ, "Jimmy Carter for Higher Office," 26 June 2018
Admittedly battling butterflies, Andrew Littlefield, as well as the rest of the St. Xavier baseball team got the last laugh Saturday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

— nate bryan, The Courier-Journal, "Unheralded, deep roster carries St. Xavier to another baseball title," 17 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'butterfly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of butterfly

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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butterfly

verb

Definition of butterfly

butterflied; butterflying

transitive verb

: to split almost entirely and spread apart

a butterflied steak

butterflied shrimp

See butterfly defined for English-language learners

Examples of butterfly in a Sentence

Butterfly the chicken before roasting.

Recent Examples of butterfly from the Web

Spatchcocked chicken with fig glaze Serves 4 Also known as butterflying the bird, spatchcocking involves removing the chicken’s backbone with a pair of kitchen shears, and then flattening it before sliding it onto a hot grill.

— sacbee, "It’s prime time for grilling – try these recipes," 13 June 2017
Spatchcocked chicken with fig glaze Serves 4 Also known as butterflying the bird, spatchcocking involves removing the chicken’s backbone with a pair of kitchen shears, and then flattening it before sliding it onto a hot grill.

— sacbee, sacbee.com, "It’s prime time for grilling – try these recipes," 13 June 2017
Slice pork tenderloin lengthwise to butterfly it, but don’t quite slice all the way through: The 2 pieces should remain attached.

— melissa clark, charlotteobserver, "Keep the tender in your pork tenderloin," 6 June 2017

First Known Use of butterfly

1947

in the meaning defined above

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BUTTERFLY Defined for English Language Learners

butterfly

noun

Definition of butterfly for English Language Learners

: a kind of insect that has a long thin body and brightly colored wings and that flies mostly during the day
: a person who goes to many parties and other social events
: a way of swimming in which the swimmer's face is in the water and the arms move together in a circular motion while the legs kick up and down; also : a race in which the swimmers do the butterfly