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Synonyms

butterflies

British  
/ ˈbʌtəˌflaɪz /

plural noun

  1. informal tremors in the stomach region due to nervousness

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I asked myself the question, ‘What was meant to be here?’ ” he says, standing in his yard as birds, bees and butterflies floated through the landscape.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

But during times of hardship, the regime has often been willing to consider the worms as returning butterflies, tapping hard currency from visiting Cuban-Americans without giving up political control.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Meanwhile, more visually appealing insect groups such as butterflies and dragonflies receive a disproportionate share of conservation protections.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Orange-tip butterflies, one of the earliest species to emerge, are among those potentially affected.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

The pit in my stomach is a cavern and my butterflies are giant flapping warty toads.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam