Illustration of firefly
firefly
noun
fire·fly
ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌflī 
: any of various winged nocturnal beetles (especially family Lampyridae) that produce a bright soft intermittent light by oxidation of luciferin especially for courtship purposes
Examples of firefly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the dim lighting, delicate string lights recreate the magic of fireflies in the air.
—
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
In the world of fireflies, that quiet is called the larval stage.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
There are small plates like firefly squid and braised rabbit.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026
The night brims with awe-striking phenomena—not just stars and auroras but glowing mushrooms, sparkly plankton, bustling night markets, and shimmery fireflies.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
In the world of fireflies, that quiet is called the larval stage.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
There are small plates like firefly squid and braised rabbit.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026
The night brims with awe-striking phenomena—not just stars and auroras but glowing mushrooms, sparkly plankton, bustling night markets, and shimmery fireflies.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firefly
Cite this Entry
“Firefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firefly. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
firefly
noun
fire·fly
ˈfī(ə)r-ˌflī
: any of numerous night-flying beetles that produce a bright soft flashing light for courtship purposes
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