gnat

noun

: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies
gnatty adjective

Examples of gnat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Only adult females in the Ceratopogonidae family of gnat species bite. Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 July 2024 Rather than simply putting up with flies and gnats, rid your space of them for just $20, or keep scrolling below for even more popular options from Amazon. Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2024 The Davoren Center is also where the infestation of roaches, flies, gnats and mice has persisted through two consecutive reporting periods — roughly the six months ending in December, the monitor found. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 Feb. 2024 Differentiating between fruit flies and gnats can be challenging due to their similar appearance and behavior. Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for gnat 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gnat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English gnætt; akin to Old English gnagan to gnaw

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gnat was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near gnat

Cite this Entry

“Gnat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnat. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

gnat

noun
: any of various small usually biting two-winged flies

Medical Definition

gnat

noun
: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies (as a midge or blackfly)

More from Merriam-Webster on gnat

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