moth

noun

ˈmȯth 

plural moths ˈmȯt͟hz  ˈmȯths 

1

: clothes moth

2

: any of various usually nocturnal lepidopteran insects with antennae that are often feathery, with a stouter body, duller coloring, and proportionately smaller wings than the butterflies, and with larvae that are plant-eating caterpillars

mothlike

ˈmȯth-ˌlīk 

adjective

mothy

ˈmȯ-thē 

adjective

Examples of moth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Women in their 20s and 30s have been drawn to Sézane like moths to a flame, stocking up on the lacey button-downs, knit sweaters, beachy totes and prairie dresses to fill their work and weekend wardrobes. — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Dragonflies catch an assortment of soft-body flying insects including flies, moths, butterflies and mosquitoes. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

These moth-repellent sachets are tucked into every one of my expensive clothing pieces after staying at an old hotel with clothes moths. — Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026

Blue morphos flashed their bright wings before disappearing among the plants, while guests gathered around the emergence chamber to look for new butterflies and moths drying their wings. — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mothe, from Old English moththe; akin to Middle High German motte moth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing moth

• brown-tail moth
• cecropia moth
• cinnabar moth
• clearwing moth
• clothes moth
• codling moth
• death's-head hawk moth
• diamondback moth
• hawk moth
• imperial moth
• Io moth
• luna moth
• Mediterranean flour moth
• moth bean
• moth-eaten
• oriental fruit moth
• peppered moth
• silk moth
• sphinx moth
• spongy moth
• tiger moth
• tussock moth
• wax moth

Rhymes for moth

• broth
• cloth
• doth
• froth
• goth
• loth
• swath
• wroth
• broadcloth
• cheesecloth
• loincloth
• neckcloth

Kids Definition

moth

noun

ˈmȯth 

plural moths ˈmȯt͟hz  ˈmȯths 

: any of a group of night-flying insects that are lepidopterans often with duller coloring, stouter bodies, and smaller wings than the related butterflies and with antennae which are often feathery