butterflynoun [ C ]
uk/ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ/us/ˈbʌt̬.ɚ.flaɪ/butterfly noun [ C ] (INSECT)
B1 a type of insect with large, often brightly coloured wings
Examples
- These flowers are brightly coloured in order to attract butterflies.
- Some butterflies blend in with their surroundings so that it's difficult to see them.
- A butterfly alighted gently on the flower.
- a butterfly net
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Insect names
- anopheles
- ant
- aphid
- beastie
- bedbug
- creepy-crawly
- daddy longlegs
- deathwatch beetle
- dragonfly
- earwig
- housefly
- insect
- ladybird
- lice
- lightning bug
- red admiral
- silverfish
- stick insect
- termite
- tortoiseshell butterfly
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butterfly noun [ C ] (PERSON)
disapproving a person who is not responsible or serious, and who is likely to change activities easily or only be interested in pleasure:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Changing frequently
- capricious
- changeable
- dipsy-doodle
- elasticity
- fickle
- flighty
- inconstant
- inflammable
- kaleidoscopic
- mercurial
- mutable
- patchy
- shifting
- stutter
- turbulent
- unpredictable
- variable
- volatile
- yo-yo
- zigzag
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butterfly noun [ C ] (JEWELLERY)
the small metal part put on the back of a stud (= piece of jewellery worn in the ear) that keeps it in place
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Jewellery
- badge
- bead
- beaded
- bindi
- bling
- charm bracelet
- choker
- clip-on
- coronet
- crown
- filigree
- fob
- knuckleduster
- paste
- pearl
- precious stone
- semiprecious
- tiepin
- trinket
- wedding ring
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butterfly noun [ C ] (SWIMMING)
[ S or U ] also the butterfly, butterfly stroke a way of swimming on your front by kicking with your legs while raising your arms together out of the water and then bringing them down in front of you
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Swimming
- aquatics
- armband
- backstroke
- bellyflop
- depth
- diving board
- dog paddle
- dove
- frogman
- gala
- pearl diver
- scissor kick
- scuba diving
- shaken
- snorkel
- stroke
- swallow dive
- swan dive
- swim
- swimming baths
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