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

The authors estimated that this transposition occurred in 1819 — after the rise in pollution levels had started to alter the moth’s habitat. — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026

The straw crest moth is native to Europe and parts of Asia and feeds on plants in the rockrose family. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

After only training a handful of moths, Johnston went on to have a strong season for All Saints in a run to back-to-back state titles, making 7 of 10 field goals and 100% of his PATs. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2026

Famously drought- and humidity-tolerant, black-eyed Susans are a favorite of bumblebees, moths, butterflies, and other pollinators. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 16 Sep. 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