Illustration of dragonfly
dragonfly
noun
drag·on·fly
ˈdra-gən-ˌflī 
: any of a suborder (Anisoptera) of odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies, hold the wings horizontal in repose, and have rectal gills during the naiad stage
broadly
: odonate
Examples of dragonfly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ladybugs are also the prey of frogs, wasps, spiders and dragonflies.
—
Susan Pransky, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2023
That is broken down by 119 dragonflies and 48 damselflies.
—Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2023
How many species of dragonflies are there in Wisconsin?
—Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2023
Helmut Lang pulled inspiration from the sky, referencing the shimmer and ephemerality of the dragonfly in his collection.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2023
At the end of the news conference, the family brought out a birthday cake decorated with plastic butterflies and dragonflies.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 1 Aug. 2023
Although pesticides may help control garden pests, the chemicals simultaneously hurt fireflies and other beneficial garden wildlife such as bees, butterflies, and dragonflies.
—Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2023
As dragonflies and white butterflies floated about, Mr. Putnam noted that within a few years, many of the now 14-foot saplings would be as tall as telephone poles and the forest would be self-sufficient.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2023
As dragonflies and white butterflies floated about, Putnam noted that within a few years, many of the now 14-foot saplings would be as tall as telephone poles and the forest would be self-sufficient.
—Cara Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
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Susan Pransky, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2023
That is broken down by 119 dragonflies and 48 damselflies.
—Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2023
How many species of dragonflies are there in Wisconsin?
—Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2023
Helmut Lang pulled inspiration from the sky, referencing the shimmer and ephemerality of the dragonfly in his collection.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2023
At the end of the news conference, the family brought out a birthday cake decorated with plastic butterflies and dragonflies.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 1 Aug. 2023
Although pesticides may help control garden pests, the chemicals simultaneously hurt fireflies and other beneficial garden wildlife such as bees, butterflies, and dragonflies.
—Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2023
As dragonflies and white butterflies floated about, Mr. Putnam noted that within a few years, many of the now 14-foot saplings would be as tall as telephone poles and the forest would be self-sufficient.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2023
As dragonflies and white butterflies floated about, Putnam noted that within a few years, many of the now 14-foot saplings would be as tall as telephone poles and the forest would be self-sufficient.
—Cara Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dragonfly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1626, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near dragonfly
Cite this Entry
“Dragonfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragonfly. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on dragonfly
Nglish: Translation of dragonfly for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dragonfly
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