butterfly

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

Updated on: 11 Apr 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

His 200m butterfly gold was his second gold of these Games, however.

— aimee lewis, CNN, "Adam Peaty and Chad le Clos win gold on record-breaking night," 7 Apr. 2018
View caterpillars and butterflies in the Master Gardens Demonstration Butterfly Garden.

— kristi nix, Houston Chronicle, "Learn about butterflies at Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Butterfly Celebration on May 5," 4 Apr. 2018
Butterfly Garden Presentation: Dave Starr, President of The Down to Earth Garden Club, UCONN certified Master Gardener and Advanced Master Gardener, will present a program on the planning and design of butterfly gardens.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The South Windsor Edition," 3 Apr. 2018
Steve, a lifer, talked about his transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly.

— neil senturia, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Powerful stories from inmates at TEDx event," 1 Apr. 2018
Adams also took first in the 100 breaststroke (56.57), while Afman won the 100 butterfly (50.29).

— anthony nasella, Post-Tribune, "Crown Point's Evan Holland has jewel of a performance in swimming sectional," 18 Feb. 2018
Abruzzo won the 100 butterfly in a time of 56.23 and also set a pool record in the 200 IM with a time of 2:04.46.

— mike owens, Philly.com, "Tuesday's Pa. roundup: Malvern Prep battles past Springside Chestnut Hill," 31 Jan. 2018
Drew Nixdorf also won the butterfly and backstroke, setting his own conference record in the latter category with a 50.30.

— jr radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Farrar delivers jaw-dropping performances — including state-record time — at Classic 8/Greater Metro Conference swim meet," 28 Jan. 2018
Megan Glass of Ursuline won the lone butterfly final, Saturday.

— john snodgrass, Cincinnati.com, "St. X, Mason lead fields after Day 1 of Classic," 14 Jan. 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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NEW! Time Traveler

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