gnat

noun

ˈnat 

: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies

gnatty

ˈna-tē 

adjective

Examples of gnat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These wipes protect against and repel mosquitoes, ticks, gnats and more. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 June 2025

The Dyneema Composite Fabric 8 (DCF 8) tub floor extends 9 inches (23 cm) in height to better protect from blowing rain and ground water, while the properly tiny holes of the no-see-um mesh keep even minuscule gnats and biting midges out while letting air circulate freely. —New Atlas, 17 May 2025

Clean drains and the garbage disposal to get rid of food buildup that can be breeding grounds where gnats thrive. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025

The zapper emits a blue-violet light that attracts flying insects like mosquitos, flies, gnats, and wasps, then zaps them with 4,200 volts of electricity. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English gnætt; akin to Old English gnagan to gnaw

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gnat

• fungus gnat

Rhymes for gnat

• at
• bat
• batt
• brat
• cat
• chat
• fat
• flat
• gat
• hat
• kat
• mat

Kids Definition

gnat

noun

ˈnat 

: any of various small usually biting two-winged flies

Medical Definition

gnat

noun

ˈnat 

: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies (as a midge or blackfly)