Word
dragonfly
Phoneticsdrag·on·fly
UK/dɹˈæɡənflˌaɪ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a large insect with a long, thin body and four wings that look like glass. You often see them flying quickly near water like ponds or rivers.
n. a predatory insect of the order Odonata, characterised by a long body, large multifaceted eyes, and two pairs of strong, transparent wings. Typically found near freshwater habitats where they hunt other insects in flight.
Examples
“A bright blue dragonfly landed on the leaf.”
“We watched a dragonfly hover over the surface of the pond before darting away at high speed.”
“The fossil record indicates that prehistoric ancestors of the modern dragonfly reached wingspans of over two feet, though their basic physiological structure has remained remarkably consistent over millions of years.”
Examples
simple
“A bright blue dragonfly landed on the leaf.”
contextual
“We watched a dragonfly hover over the surface of the pond before darting away at high speed.”
complex
“The fossil record indicates that prehistoric ancestors of the modern dragonfly reached wingspans of over two feet, though their basic physiological structure has remained remarkably consistent over millions of years.”
Real-World Examples
“As we’ve previously reported , there are more than 400 different species of Cordyceps fungi, each targeting a particular insect species, like ants, dragonflies, cockroaches, aphids, or beetles.” Etymology
From dragon + fly. Compare drakefly (“mayfly”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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