# grasshopper

/ˈɡɹæsˌhɑpɝ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈɑːshɒpɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grasshopper
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the insect

noun · CEFR B1

a green or brown insect with long back legs that it uses for jumping.

For teachers: a herbivorous insect of the order Orthoptera, characterized by long hind legs adapted for leaping and the production of sound by stridulation.

- The grasshopper jumped from the tall blade of grass as I walked by.
- During the summer months, the meadow was alive with the rhythmic chirping of grasshoppers hidden deep within the vegetation.

### 2. a young student

noun · CEFR B2 · Humorous · Informal

a name for a young student or beginner who shows a lot of talent.

For teachers: a figurative term for a novice or apprentice, often implying a relationship with a mentor or teacher.

- Patience, young grasshopper; you will learn the skill in time.
- The senior developer often referred to the new intern as 'grasshopper', guiding him through the complexities of the legacy codebase with paternal patience.

### 3. a cocktail

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a sweet, green alcoholic drink made with mint and chocolate flavours.

For teachers: a sweet, mint-flavoured cocktail typically composed of crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and fresh cream.

- She ordered a grasshopper after dinner because she wanted something sweet.
- The bartender garnished the grasshopper with a sprig of fresh mint, highlighting the vibrant green hue of the liqueur.

### 4. chess piece

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a special piece used in some versions of chess that must jump over other pieces.

For teachers: a fairy chess piece that moves along queen lines but must leap over an intervening piece to land on the square immediately beyond.

- In this chess puzzle, the grasshopper can capture the king in two moves.
- The problemist utilized a grasshopper on the h-file to create a unique checkmate pattern that would be impossible with standard pieces.

## Examples

- A green grasshopper jumped through the tall grass.
- During the summer months, you can hear the sound of grasshoppers chirping in the fields.
- The swarm of grasshoppers moved across the agricultural plains, posing a significant threat to the season's wheat harvest due to their voracious appetite for leafy vegetation.

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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.