moth
/mɒθ/ (bre, ipa) · /mɔːθ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmȯth/ (ame, mw)
moth — noun
- mothsingular
- mothsplural
1. a winged insect closely related to the butterfly, with a thicker body and duller
a winged insect closely related to the butterfly, with a thicker body and duller wing colours; it typically flies at nighttime and will come close to lamps, candles, or other glowing objects
A fat grey moth kept tapping against Keiko's bedside lamp all evening.
collocation: moth + lamp (attracted to light)
Hassan left the kitchen window open, and three moths came in after dark.
Marta found tiny holes in her cashmere scarf where moth larvae had fed.
There was a dusty brown moth resting on the white bathroom tiles all morning.
Lin brushed half a dozen moths from the screen door before stepping outside.
- butterfly
the day-flying, usually more brightly coloured counterpart
用法筆記
When people say moths have ruined their clothes, they are talking about the larvae (caterpillars), not the adult flying insects.