Word
bumblebee
Phoneticsbum·ble·bee, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbəmbəɫˌbi/
UK/bˈʌmbəlbˌiː/
Definition
n. a small, round insect with yellow and black stripes that makes a buzzing sound while it flies. It carries pollen from flower to flower to help plants grow.
n. a small, hairy insect of the family Apidae, characterized by a distinctive buzzing flight and a role in pollination. Often used to refer to the honeybee in general, though it technically refers to a specific genus.
Examples
“The bumblebee lands on the flower to collect pollen.”
“Gardeners often plant wildflowers to attract bumblebees and other pollinators to their yards.”
“Unlike the more aggressive honeybee, the bumblebee is generally docile and plays a vital role in the pollination of crops that require a specific temperature to bloom.”
Examples
simple
“The bumblebee lands on the flower to collect pollen.”
contextual
“Gardeners often plant wildflowers to attract bumblebees and other pollinators to their yards.”
complex
“Unlike the more aggressive honeybee, the bumblebee is generally docile and plays a vital role in the pollination of crops that require a specific temperature to bloom.”
Etymology
1520s from bumble + bee, replacing Middle English humbul-be. Merged with Middle English bombeln (“to boom, buzz”), in the late 14th century. The name of the drink is a semantic loan from Ukrainian джміль (džmilʹ).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The word in film
Bumblebee · 2018 · Sci-Fi
- Directed by:
- Travis Knight
- Starring:
- John Cena, Hailee Steinfeld, Angela Bassett
In this 2018 science fiction adventure directed by Travis Knight, a young woman discovers a yellow and black robot hiding in a California junkyard. The machine takes its name from the small, buzzing insect because of its bright colors and friendly personality.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/bumblebee