noun
Meaning 1
A firefly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Phrase guide
lightning bug
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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noun
Meaning 2
nocturnal beetle common in warm regions having luminescent abdominal organs
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: firefly
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: beetle
Narrower terms: glowworm
History
Etymology
From lightning + bug, because the insects glow; whence also firefly. Compare glow fly, glowworm, and lanternfly.