Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

moth

play
noun \ ˈmȯth \

Definition of moth

plural moths play \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

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective
—

mothy

play \ˈmȯ-thē\ adjective

See moth defined for English-language learners

See moth defined for kids

Explore Merriam-Webster

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066
image1644821030
These Are Fighting Words
alt-59c4207ecf106
Let's Talk 'Tea'
alt-59c448f88ea38
Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Recent Examples of moth from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'moth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of moth

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

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

MOTH Defined for English Language Learners

moth

play
noun

Definition of moth for English Language Learners

  • : a kind of insect that is similar to a butterfly but that flies mostly at night and is usually less colorful

MOTH Defined for Kids

moth

play
noun \ ˈmȯth \

Definition of moth for Students

plural moths \ˈmȯt͟hz, ˈmȯths\
:an insect that usually flies at night and has mostly feathery antennae and stouter body, duller coloring, and smaller wings than the related butterflies

Learn More about moth

  1. See words that rhyme with moth Spanish Central: Translation of moth Nglish: Translation of moth for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of moth for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about moth

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up moth? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

yeasty

play

of yeast or being unsettled or frivolous

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. dotage, dotard a state or period of senile decay

  2. otherwise "in other respects"

  3. federalism Graham says bill gives power to states

  4. bodega "Don’t mess with the beloved bodega."

  5. carceral Of, relating to, or suggesting a jail or prison

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

moth

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

  • young-plant-shoots
  • Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-59c4207ecf106
Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

image1644821030
8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

alt-59c2960017c94
The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

image536372841
Silent Letters

When each letter can be seen but not heard

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots
Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz
stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy
Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
Dictionary Devil
Dictionary Devil

The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?

Play the game