# cockroach

/ˈkɑˌkɹoʊtʃ/ (US) · /kˈɒkɹəʊtʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cockroach
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a flat, brown insect with long antennae that is often found in houses and buildings. They are known for being very hard to get rid of and for coming out at night.

For teachers: a resilient, flat-bodied insect of the order Blattodea, typically nocturnal and often considered a household pest. While the term has derogatory slang applications in specific dialects, it primarily refers to the biological scavenger.

## Examples

- A cockroach scurries across the kitchen floor.
- The old apartment building had a persistent cockroach problem that required professional pest control services.
- Biologists study the cockroach for its remarkable ability to survive in extreme environments and its highly efficient nervous system, which allows for rapid escape responses.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.