ladybug

noun

la·​dy·​bug ˈlā-dē-ˌbəg 

: any of numerous small nearly hemispherical often brightly colored often spotted beetles (family Coccinellidae) of temperate and tropical regions that usually feed both as larvae and adults on other insects (such as aphids)

called also lady beetle, ladybird, ladybird beetle

Illustration of ladybug

Examples of ladybug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both love moist, rich soil, and dill's cheerful yellow flowers will attract ladybugs and green lacewings, which feed on the pests that attack spinach. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025

This includes native bees, butterflies, moths, spiders and ladybugs. —Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025

This would probably be a pest-free garden because of the attraction of daisy flowers to a wide variety of beneficial insects, including ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025

Asian Lady Beetles, often mistaken for ladybugs, seek shelter in homes during colder months. —Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Our Lady, the Virgin Mary

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ladybug

• antidrug
• mealybug
• multidrug
• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug

Kids Definition

ladybug

noun

la·​dy·​bug -ˌbəg 

: any of numerous small roundish-backed often brightly colored and spotted beetles that usually feed both when young and adult on other insects (as aphids)