firefly

[ fahyuhr-flahy ]

noun

, plural fire·flies.

1. any nocturnal beetle of the family Lampyridae, characterized by a soft body with a light-producing organ at the rear of the abdomen.

firefly

/ ˈfaɪəˌflaɪ /

noun

1. any nocturnal beetle of the family Lampyridae , common in warm and tropical regions, having luminescent abdominal organs See also glow-worm
2. any tropical American click beetle of the genus Pyrophorus , esp P. noctiluca , that have luminescent thoracic organs

Word History and Origins

Origin of firefly¹

First recorded in 1650–60; fire + fly ¹

Example Sentences

Meanwhile Boeing said it had set up a partnership with the investment company Clear Sky to promote a method of producing SAF pioneered by the British company Firefly.

From BBC

It was the same day his father recorded his hit “Donkey Serenade,” which appeared in the 1937 film musical “The Firefly,” co-starring the elder Jones, according to Jones’ website.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile Boeing said it had set up a partnership with the investment company Clear Sky to promote a method of producing SAF pioneered by the British company Firefly.

From BBC

Emotionally, after riding through a cavern featuring a frog-led band with a firefly chorus, all creating a rousing, sing-along take on “Dig a Little Deeper,” the mood is one of pure uplift.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2015, following a stint with Nathan Fillion on “Firefly,” Tudyk created the web comedy series “Con Man,” about embittered actor Wray Nerely, who begrudgingly attends sci-fi conventions.

From Los Angeles Times