moth

1 of 2

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

mothy

2 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯthē 

-er/-est

: full of moths

Examples of moth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Twenty years after Darwin died such a moth was indeed found in Madagascar, and given the species name praedicta to honor the insight. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026

The nectar might contain some toxins, but the hummers and moths don’t drink enough to be harmed. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Every camper has had their site taken over by moths at night. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

The erratic thumping of moths doomed by the siren-pull of the kitchen light. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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