gnat

noun

ˈnat 

: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies

gnatty

ˈna-tē 

adjective

Examples of gnat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The inspector noticed some vegetables and chicken at an unsafe temperature, several gnats flying around the back room of the kitchen and rodent droppings in the dry storage area. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2026

This is especially helpful in gnat-prone areas, Carpenter says. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 28 July 2026

Of course, the list of invertebrates include mosquitoes, gnats, yellow flies, ticks and other biting pests, which are most annoying June through August but can be nuisances at other times of the year. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

While the lights themselves aren’t drawing in spiders, the moths, gnats, mosquitoes, and mayflies bobbing around the lights do. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing gnat

• fungus gnat

Rhymes for gnat

• at
• bat
• batt
• brat
• cat
• chat
• fat
• flat
• gat
• hat
• kat
• mat

Kids Definition

gnat

noun

ˈnat 

: any of various small usually biting two-winged flies

Medical Definition

gnat

noun

ˈnat 

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