Butterfly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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butterfly

[ˈbʌtəflʌɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

insect

A butterfly is a flying insect with a slender body and large, often colorful wings. Butterflies undergo a complete metamorphosis, starting as eggs, then becoming caterpillars, before finally transforming into butterflies.

Synonyms

flutterby, moth, papillon.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
butterfly	A commonly used term for the colorful, fluttering insects that are often seen in gardens and meadows during the day. We saw a beautiful butterfly landing on the flowers. Butterflies are a sign of a healthy ecosystem.
moth	This word is used to describe a type of insect that is similar to a butterfly but typically active at night and often duller in color. 'Moth' can have a more negative connotation when referring to insects that damage clothing or food. A large moth flew into the room and circled the light. We had to put our wool sweaters away in moth-proof bags.
flutterby	This is a playful or whimsical term for 'butterfly' that is not commonly used in scientific or formal contexts. Look at that pretty flutterby dancing in the breeze! Children love to watch flutterbies in the garden.
papillon	The French word for butterfly. It is usually used in literary contexts, or when referring to something French or elegant. The sky was filled with colorful papillons during the festival. She wore a papillon brooch on her dress.

Examples of usage

Butterflies are important pollinators in many ecosystems.
The butterfly gracefully fluttered from flower to flower in the garden.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

person

In slang, a 'butterfly' can refer to a person who is not serious or reliable, often flitting from one thing to another without commitment.

Synonyms

fickle, flaky, unreliable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
butterfly	Typically refers to the insect with colorful wings. Can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is social and moves around a lot. The garden was full of beautiful butterflies. She's such a social butterfly, always chatting with everyone at the party.
flaky	Describes a person who is unreliable, often forgetting things, canceling plans, or not showing up. Generally negative. She's so flaky; she promised to help me but then didn't show up. You don't want to rely on him for important tasks—he's too flaky.
fickle	Describes someone who frequently changes their mind or loyalties. Often carries a negative connotation, implying instability or inconsistency. His fickle nature made it hard to know where he stood on important issues. The weather here is so fickle, changing from sunny to rainy in an hour.
unreliable	Describes someone or something that cannot be depended upon. Strongly negative, as it implies a total lack of trustworthiness. The car is too unreliable to take on a long road trip. He has proven himself to be unreliable by missing so many deadlines.

Examples of usage

Don't trust him, he's a bit of a butterfly when it comes to relationships.
She's a social butterfly, always attending different events and parties.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'butterfly'

The word 'butterfly' originated from the Old English word 'buttorfleoge', which literally means 'butterfly', since butterflies were thought to steal milk. The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly has long been associated with change, growth, and beauty in various cultures around the world.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,477, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11474 utensils
11475 oyster
11476 sucrose
11477 butterfly
11478 recital
11479 irreversible
11480 flashes
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