butterfly

[ buht-er-flahy ]

noun

, plural but·ter·flies.

1. any of numerous diurnal insects of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by clubbed antennae, a slender body, and large, broad, often conspicuously marked wings.
2. a person who flits aimlessly from one interest or group to another:

   a social butterfly.

3. butterflies, (used with a plural verb) Informal. a queasy feeling, as from nervousness, excitement, etc.
4. a racing breaststroke, using a dolphin kick, in which the swimmer brings both arms out of the water in forward, circular motions.
5. Carpentry. butterfly wedge.
6. Sculpture. an X -shaped support attached to an armature.
7. one of the swinging brackets of a butterfly table.
8. Movies. a screen of scrim, gauze, or similar material, for diffusing light.

verb (used with object)

, but·ter·flied, but·ter·fly·ing.

1. Cooking. to slit open and spread apart to resemble the spread wings of a butterfly.

adjective

1. Cooking. split open and spread apart to resemble a butterfly:

   butterfly shrimp; butterfly steak.

butterfly

/ ˈbʌtəˌflaɪ /

noun

1. any diurnal insect of the order Lepidoptera that has a slender body with clubbed antennae and typically rests with the wings (which are often brightly coloured) closed over the back Compare moth lepidopteran
2. a person who never settles with one group, interest, or occupation for long
3. a swimming stroke in which the arms are plunged forward together in large circular movements
4. commerce the simultaneous purchase and sale of traded call options, at different exercise prices or with different expiry dates, on a stock exchange or commodity market

Other Words From

• butter·flylike adjective adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English boterflye, Old English buttorflēoge; equivalent to butter + fly ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly¹

Old English buttorflēoge ; the name perhaps is based on a belief that butterflies stole milk and butter

Example Sentences

South Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve is as good a spot to see the butterflies as any.

From Outside Online

It’s not all honey and butterflies in our relationship with insects.

From Nautilus

Someone who likes their alone time might not have a brain response that is as strong as someone who is a social butterfly.

From Science News For Students

This technology was demonstrated in artistic replicas of dancing butterflies, fluttering leaves, and blooming flowers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

From Fortune

Scientists have observed insects — especially butterflies, bees and flies — crawling into the eyes of animals.

From Science News For Students

“When you become a peshmerga your life becomes like a butterfly,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

So, to commemorate her 75th birthday, the two got matching butterfly tattoos on their wrists.

From The Daily Beast

This video remedies that injustice, showcasing an owl doing a butterfly stroke in Lake Michigan.

From The Daily Beast

A small wooden cabinet with two butterfly doors held ropes and chains, candles, and sex toys.

From The Daily Beast

The labels included a picture of a butterfly on a blade of grass.

From The Daily Beast

She became my sweetheart, temporarily; but a born butterfly, she soon fluttered away, leaving me disconsolate—for a time!

From Project Gutenberg

Out by the hill, a butterfly, snow white, rested a moment on the young girl's hair.

From Project Gutenberg

In Leeming-street it was in the chrysalis state; in Fishergate the butterfly epoch has been reached.

From Project Gutenberg

A filmy and diaphanous creature was Mrs. Patton also—one could never have dreamed of so exquisite a black butterfly.

From Project Gutenberg

I hate to think that he may become a social butterfly on account of his title, but a stanza from Calverly haunts my memory.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brush
• glance
• graze
• greet
• salute