fruit fly

noun

: any of various small dipteran flies (such as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Examples of fruit fly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, it’s been 10 years since the wordmark was updated, and in the current fruit fly life cycle of frenzied tech rebirths, that’s almost staid. — Aurich Lawson, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

The sweet smell of rotting fruit is irresistible to fruit flies and draws them in through the funnel. — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026

For more best-selling pest control products from Terro, check out similar options below to control fruit flies, moths, roaches, and more. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026

Although the Medfly quarantine has ended, there is still a threat of new infestations by non-native species, such as invasive fruit flies. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fruit fly

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

fruit fly

noun

: any of various small two-winged flies whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Medical Definition

fruit fly

noun

: any of various small dipteran flies (as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter