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

Illustration of dragonfly

Examples of dragonfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After a few short days, simple pleasures like a walk in the woods, a cold plunge, a good meal—and a dragonfly literally resting on my hand—were enough to send me back out into the world feeling a little more present than before. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026

Crappie like to hover below their prey, fining in place and examining slow-swimming invertebrates such as damselfly, dragonfly, and mayfly nymphs, as well as small leeches. —Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026

Those who have tried to catch a dragonfly can attest to this. —Etiido Uko march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026

Adults tackled a wider range of prey, while juveniles focused only on smaller, more manageable meals – likely smaller frogs, grasshoppers and dragonflies. —Leonie Baier, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dragonfly

noun

drag·​on·​fly -ˌflī 

: any of a group of large harmless insects that have four long wings held horizontal and sticking out instead of folded to the side next to the body when at rest and that feed especially on flies, gnats, and mosquitoes compare damselfly