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

Typically, fruit flies or other small flies are given priority foundation, and need to be remedied by the time a restaurant is re-inspected in five business days. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Cleaning your trash can regularly and rinsing food residue from containers prevents odors that attract fruit flies. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 16 July 2026

One Tarrant County restaurant was temporarily closed, and roaches and an accumulation of fruit flies were seen at others during the latest round of county health inspections, according to the inspection reports. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

For the most recent earnings season, these forecasting fruit flies buzzed around modeling 12% earnings growth for the quarter. — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 5 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