lovebug

noun

love·​bug ˈləv-ˌbəg How to pronounce lovebug (audio)
: a small black fly (Plecia nearctica) with a red thorax that swarms along highways in the Gulf states of the U.S.

Examples of lovebug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Despite his rocky road to a new life, Maurice is nothing but a big lovebug! The Republic, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2022 Every year like clockwork, Valentine's Day rolls around and holiday jewel tones are swiftly replaced by every shade of red and pink imaginable. Storefronts — both of the brick-and-mortar and online varieties — catch the lovebug, and boom! Karina Hoshikawa, refinery29.com, 31 Jan. 2020 Fun facts: Female lovebugs are bigger than their male suitors. USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2017 Butterflies fluttered in the shade of sunlight dappled by the Spanish moss dangling from oak trees and lovebugs rested on tangerine and lemon trees scattered throughout the property on a recent morning. Jason Ruiter, OrlandoSentinel.com, 29 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lovebug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the fact that it is usually seen copulating

First Known Use

circa 1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lovebug was circa 1966

Dictionary Entries Near lovebug

Cite this Entry

“Lovebug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lovebug. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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