# insect

/ˈɪnˌsɛkt/ (US) · /ˈɪnsɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/insect
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. small six-legged animal

noun · CEFR A2

a small animal with six legs, three body parts, and usually wings.

For teachers: an arthropod of the class Insecta, characterized by a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body, and three pairs of jointed legs.

- An ant is a common insect that lives in large groups underground.
- The biologist identified several new species of insect during her expedition to the remote tropical rainforest.

### 2. insignificant person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Vulgar

a person you think is weak, annoying, or not important.

For teachers: a person viewed as contemptible, insignificant, or powerless. Often used as a pejorative to dehumanize the target.

- The cruel boss treated his workers like insects.
- In the villain's monologue, he dismissed his rivals as mere insects who were unworthy of his attention.

Usage: Usually used in a metaphorical sense to express extreme dislike or superiority.

## Examples

- An ant is a common type of insect.
- The gardener noticed that a small insect was eating the leaves of the rose bushes.
- While many people find every insect repulsive, these creatures play a vital role in the ecosystem by pollinating crops and breaking down organic waste.

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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.