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

What Are Spotted Tomato Hornworms Spotted tomato hornworms or tomato hornworms are the precursor before becoming a hawk moth, also known as the hummingbird moth. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 June 2026

Oregano attracts beneficial insects and repels common pests including aphids, cabbage moths, and spider mites. —Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 26 May 2026

Miller moths, or adult army cutworms, migrate to the mountains every spring in search of flowers for nectar. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 25 May 2026

Mothballs only work for moths and carpet beetles. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 24 May 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