wasp

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈwäsp 

ˈwȯsp

1

: any of numerous social or solitary winged hymenopterous insects (especially families Sphecidae and Vespidae) that usually have a slender smooth body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk, well-developed wings, biting mouthparts, and in the females and workers an often formidable sting, and that are largely carnivorous and often provision their nests with insects or spiders killed or paralyzed by stinging for their larvae to feed on compare bee

2

: any of various hymenopterous insects (such as a chalcid or ichneumon wasp) other than wasps with larvae that are parasitic on other arthropods

wasplike

ˈwäsp-ˌlīk 

ˈwȯsp-

adjective

Illustration of wasp

• wasp 1

WASP

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈwäsp 

ˈwȯsp

variants or Wasp

often attributive

sometimes disparaging

: an American of Northern European and especially British ancestry and of Protestant background

especially : a member of the dominant and the most privileged class of people in the U.S.

Waspdom

ˈwäsp-dəm 

ˈwȯsp-

noun sometimes disparaging

Waspish

ˈwä-spish 

ˈwȯ-

adjective sometimes disparaging

Waspishness noun sometimes disparaging

waspish

3 of 4

adjective

wasp·​ish ˈwä-spish 

ˈwȯ-

1

: resembling a wasp in behavior

especially : snappish, petulant

a waspish temper

2

: resembling a wasp in form

especially : slightly built

waspishly adverb

waspishness noun

waspishness

4 of 4

noun (3)

wasp·​ish·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being waspish

Synonyms of wasp

Adjective

• irritable
• fiery

Examples of wasp in a Sentence

Noun (2)

Most of the members of the club are wealthy WASPs.

The college had been known as a bastion of WASP privilege.

Adjective

extremely waspish, she uses her wit viciously when irritated

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As a result, different parasitoid wasps have evolved a wide variety of stinger shapes and sizes to deal with this variety of targets. — Philip Anderson, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Significant stinging insect infestations like wasps and carpenter bees may also require a specialized plan that isn’t included in your general pest control service. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Noun

Tomato horn worms are a pest, but there are some wasps that are beneficial. — Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025

Why are there so many wasps flying around in your yard now? — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025

Adjective

After some increasingly waspish bickering between Aleida and Irina, the group manages to agree once more on the importance of the Space Elevator and Titan mission succeeding unaffected by the ongoing protests. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026

Spitting Image has delivered a typically waspish response after Deadline revealed this week that the show had been served with a lawsuit by the owners of Paddington Bear. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English waspe, from Old English wæps, wæsp; akin to Old High German wafsa wasp, Latin vespa wasp

Noun (2)

white Anglo-Saxon Protestant

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1948, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wasp

• fig wasp
• gall wasp
• ichneumon wasp
• mason wasp
• paper wasp
• sea wasp
• trichogramma wasp
• wasp waist

Kids Definition

wasp

1 of 2 noun

ˈwäsp 

ˈwȯsp

: any of numerous winged insects related to the bees and ants that have a slender body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk and that in females and workers are usually capable of giving a very painful sting

WASP

2 of 2 noun

variants or Wasp

: an American of northern European and Protestant background

—sometimes used disparagingly

Medical Definition

wasp

noun

ˈwäsp, ˈwȯsp 

: any of numerous social or solitary winged insects (especially families Sphecidae and Vespidae) of the order Hymenoptera that usually have a slender smooth body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk, well-developed wings, biting mouthparts, and in the females and workers an often formidable sting