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

She’s simply locked in to playing Bethany as another confused millennial trying to figure it all out and failing to stay away from moth-to-flame temptations. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026

Researchers counted the number of insects — including bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies, moths, and beetles — that visited the reproductive features of the flowers. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

Many full-sun perennials provide important food sources for bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and moths. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026

The garden’s Rainforest Conservatory has been transformed into a habitat for thousands of butterflies from around the world, including the electric-blue Instagram star Blue Morpho and the massive Atlas moth, whose wingspan can reach nearly a foot across. —Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 10 Apr. 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